# Are there still "sacred cows" in India? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 2, 2003, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-still-sacred-cows-in-india/152359 "2003-02-02T21:09:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Hermann\_Cheruscan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b782af/32.png) [@Hermann\_Cheruscan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hermann_Cheruscan)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2003, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-still-sacred-cows-in-india/152359/1 "2003-02-02T21:09:08Z")
? ---
**Author:** ![Jiminy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5fc32e/32.png) [@Jiminy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jiminy)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2003, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-still-sacred-cows-in-india/152359/2 "2003-02-02T21:12:10Z")
yep, but those cows aren’t the only thing “sacred” there though ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2003, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-still-sacred-cows-in-india/152359/3 "2003-02-02T21:23:40Z")
Yep. They are considered the source of both sacrificial material ( ghee and milk curds ) and as a symbol of motherhood ( providing milk ). Further they are under the explicit protection of Krishna, who holds are very important place in the Hindu pantheon. _However_, the oft-states factoid that all Hindus never eat beef is false. A minority, especially from among certain castes and in certain regions do - But it is sort of politically incorrect and the cause of some controversy. See this brief article: [http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/2001/08/14/stories/13140833.htm](http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/2001/08/14/stories/13140833.htm) - Tamerlane ---
**Author:** ![II\_Gyan\_II](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/bbe5ce/32.png) [@II\_Gyan\_II](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/II_Gyan_II)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2003, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-still-sacred-cows-in-india/152359/4 "2003-02-02T21:27:16Z")
I’m not sure what the question means. “sacred cows” aren’t a selective entity. Cows are by default considered sacred to a Hindu. It’s a misinformed belief but I’m not going to get into that. ---
**Author:** ![David\_Simmons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9de053/32.png) [@David\_Simmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_Simmons)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2003, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-still-sacred-cows-in-india/152359/5 "2003-02-02T21:29:12Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Gyan9 \* > \*\*I’m not sure what the question means. > > “sacred cows” aren’t a selective entity. Cows are by default considered sacred to a Hindu. \*\* Yeah. It’s sort of like asking, "Do Catholics still consider the Cross to be important? ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2003, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-still-sacred-cows-in-india/152359/6 "2003-02-02T21:33:00Z")
> [@](#): > > It’s sort of like asking, "Do Catholics still consider the Cross to be important? I sort of assumed that was what he was asking. If we’re talking individual, specially sanctified cows I dunno. Conceivably certain temples keep special ritual herds and the like, though I’m open to correction on that. - Tamerlane ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2003, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-still-sacred-cows-in-india/152359/7 "2003-02-02T23:59:36Z")
The body is a temple. I’ll just invite Bessie in for worship. 😃 d&r