It was in 2010 that Bekal Gokulam Goushala was formed and created at Periya, Alakode Village, near the historic Bekal Fort in the Kasargod district of North Kerala. The Goushala is situated in a district called Alakkod which in Malayalam means “Cow Shed”. It is an irony that in a Cow Slaughtering dominant area, a Goushala such as this is not only existing, but also growing in popularity and numbers on a regular basis.
With the humble beginnings of only a Vechur Cow, the Goushala now boasts of 225 cows across 9 Indigenous Cow breeds - Kasargod Dwarf, Vechur, Malanad Gidda, Ongole, Kangayam, Gir, Holikar, Bargur and Kankrej. We also have 90 oxen in our Goushala. Our Cows and the Bulls graze happily- always cuddled by comforting breeze wafting from the Arabian Sea.
Each cow in the Goushala is treated with respect and as a family member of the Goushala, with each one having a different name and an identity in the Goushala. There is very special attention given to their upkeep in a method which is both traditional as well as scientific. The milk from the cows are not sold in the open market as there is no profit intent.
All the cows in our Goushala are healthy and are free from diseases. Our Goushala is a learning centre too where all can observe from close quarters, and get enlightened on, local breeds of cows. It also gives information on the different ways in which panchagavyams can be used. Students from different departments of Central University do research in cooperation with the Goushala. In the future, we plan to establish a research centre close to the Goushala.
Our Founders
Vishnu Prasad Hebbar
The younger son of Vamana Hebbar, Vaishnavite Archaka of Poochakkad Vishnu temple, he was inspired to pursue Goupalanam by the enchanting Krishna stories, recited by his father. After high school, he studied Jyothisha for 12 years under Neeleswaram Kallampalli Krishnan Namboothiri. He then learned Yoga, Sanskrit, and Dharmashastra at Sanatana Bharata Bharati Padasala in Mysuru under Dr. K. L. Shankaranarayana Jois. Currently, he practices Jathaka Pariseelanam, Prasnam, and Ashtamangalya Prasnam, and has played a key role in Devaprasnas for the renovation of nearly 1,000 temples across India.
Dr. Nagaratna
The first daughter of Sreedhara Hegde and Lakshmi of Honnavar Karki, she excelled academically despite financial constraints. A top student in BSc and MSc courses, she gained entrance to the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, to study the thyroid and completed her PhD at Cambridge University, researching breast cancer cures. Her work, supported by the Nehru and Commonwealth Trusts, was published in the journal Nature. She has been an Assistant Professor at Periyar Central University and now manages daily operations at the Goushala. Her expertise in Ayurveda, Yoga & Nutrition guides the scientific development of the Goushala and the creation of Panchagavya-based products.
