Selection of Cow Dung for the Agnihotra Yajnya

Agnihotra is a traditional domestic solemnity, performed to maintain harmony between living beings and nature, without harming and by giving respect. Agnihotra, the simplest forms of Yajnya performed at sunset/ sunrise in which cow dung is burned in the copper pot by using cow ghee and brown rice as oblations along with chanting of mantras of sun and fire. Dung of cow is a major component used in Agnihotra process. Composition of cow’s dung varies according to the cow breed, cow metabolism, cow feed, etc. and hence selection of cow species for the dung is important. The sun dried dung of various 43 registered Indian cow (Bos taurus indicus) breeds were screened based on the extent of different products viz., O2, CO2, CO, H2O, N2, SOx, NOx, PM, and ash produced after burning. The results showed that the dung of Gir cow’s breed is most suitable for Agnihotra as compared to other Indian cow breeds.