Milking Internet stardom: ‘Dhauli’ fetches ₹1.33L at auction

Hope in a manger

  • Dhauli’s story began over three years ago when her pregnant mother was abandoned at a gaushala

  • Soon after, the cow was born

  • With her shining white coat, she was affectionately named “Dhauli” by the staff

  • When veterinarians examined her, they confirmed she was a pure Tharparkar calf — a rarity

  • The gaushala staff then took exceptional care of her, even assigning special caretakers and feeding her a nutritious diet of wheat, millet porridge, and green fodder

A cow named Dhauli from Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati Gaushala in Jamal village has become the centre of attention across Haryana and Rajasthan, winning hearts and high auction bids.

A special auction held recently — promoted through social media — drew over 30 cattle breeders and traders. The highest bid came from Iqbal Singh of Hanumangarh, Rajasthan, who bought the cow for Rs 1.33 lakh.

Prakash Kaswan, head of the gaushala, said Dhauli belonged to the rare Tharparkar breed, known for its high milk yield and gentle nature. She gave birth to her first calf on June 20. Dhauli produces up to 15 litres of milk daily, with an annual milk output of around 2,000 kg.

Dhauli’s story began over three years ago when her pregnant mother was abandoned at the gaushala.

Soon after, the cow was born. With her shining white coat, she earned the affectionate name “Dhauli” from the staff.

When veterinarians examined her, they confirmed she was a pure Tharparkar calf — a rarity. The gaushala staff then took exceptional care of her, even assigning special caretakers and feeding her a nutritious diet of wheat, millet porridge, and green fodder.

The auction began at Rs 71,000, and soon gained momentum due to Dhauli’s breed and health.

Kaswan said this was the highest bid ever received for a cow in the gaushala’s care.

The money from such auctions supports the gaushala, which currently shelters over 1,400 cows.

Experts say the Tharparkar breed not only produces more milk than many local breeds, but is also easy to handle due to its calm temperament. However, such cows are rarely available.

Kaswan said Dhauli’s journey from being born to an abandoned mother to becoming a prized and loved cow was now inspiring cattle breeders across the region. It was also a strong reminder of the value and potential of India’s indigenous cattle breeds, he added.

The buyer, Iqbal, said he was very happy to buy the cow. He said he loved animals, and already had other cows at home. Having this special cow in his home would be a great addition for him and his family, he added.

Haryana Tribune