The very name Govardhan, indicates the great significance of cows. “Go” in Sanskrit means “cows or senses”, and “Vardhana” means “nourishment”.

When the first devotees came here, they did not have any cows. But by Giriraj’s divine intervention for the pleasure of Sri Sri Krishna Balarama, a cow started showing up at the ashram gate. Over a period of time, she got used to the resident devotees’ affection and the devotees to her presence, until one day she moved into the ashram and decided to stay for good. Even though devotees did not have any plan to keep cows at the time, Sri Giriraj induced them to keep his cows. The Ashram goshala produces sufficient milk to provide for Sri Sri Krishna Balarams’s needs of fresh milk, yogurt, butter, and ghee.

Serving cows in Govardhan is a matter of immense piety. Because cows are especially dear to Sri Giriraj and to Sri Sri Krishna Balarama, they play a very important role in our Krishna Consciousness movement, and their presence is a boon from the Lord.