Kohima, Sep 8: In a significant development for the Sanatan Dharm community, a nationwide movement to elevate the cow to the status of ‘Rashtra Mata’ is set to kick off with the Gau Dhwaj Sthapana Bharat Yatra. Scheduled to commence on September 22, 2024, this journey will traverse the length and breadth of India, culminating in Delhi on October 26.
The Gau Pratishtha Andolan aims to move cow protection from the state list to the central list in the Indian Constitution and to eliminate cow slaughter across the country. The movement is a continuation of past efforts, such as the 1966 GauRaksha Andolan led by Dharma Samrat Yatichakrachudamani Pujya Karpatri Maharaj, which saw immense sacrifice from devotees. The current Andolan is spearheaded by Param GauBhakt Pujya Gopal Mani, under the blessings of the Jagadguru Shankaracharyas from the four peethas. The movement has gained momentum with the passing of the Rama Gau Pratishtha Samhita Bill and a 42-point Dharmadesh.
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The Yatra, which will see Shankaracharya and Pujya Gopal Mani traveling together, aims to install a sacred Gau Dhwaj (cow flag) in the capitals of all Indian states and Union Territories. The journey will begin in Ayodhya and cover various regions of the country, concluding with a grand event in the national capital.
Jagadguru Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand Maharaj of Jyotirmath has declared this year as the Gau Samvatsar (Year of the Cow) and has already led a barefoot march from Govardhan to Delhi to support the cause. During the Yatra, the Shankaracharya will honor prominent cow devotees from across India and preside over grand Gau Pratishtha Sammelans in each state.
Shankaracharya is scheduled to arrive in Kohima, Nagaland, on the evening of September 27. On September 28, from 9 AM to 12 PM, he will oversee the installation of the Gau Dhwaj and deliver an address at the Gau Mahasabha. The Yatra will then proceed to Imphal, Manipur.
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The goal of the Gau Dhwaj Sthapana Bharat Yatra is to mobilize cow devotees nationwide, uniting them to restore the cow’s dignity and honor, and to confer upon it the title of ‘Rashtra Mata’—with the motto “Gau Mata, Rashtra Mata – Rashtra Mata, Bharat Mata.”
Following the Yatra, a nationwide Gau Pratishtha Mahasammelan will take place in Delhi from November 7 to 9, coinciding with Gopashtami. This event will serve as a decisive appeal to the Government of India to end cow slaughter and recognize the cow as Rashtra Mata.
In preparation for this journey, Brahmachari Mukundanand, a representative of the Yatra’s convener, along with co-convener Gobhakt Vikas Patni and State Yatra Convener Swami Ratneshwaranand Tirth , held a press conference today to outline the details of the Yatra and its objectives.
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