Welcome to "Passion, purpose and preservation with Sandeep Iyer" - Saving the Sacred Hump a podcast where spiritual tradition meets conservation action! I'm your host Soumya, and I'm thrilled to guide you through an extraordinary journey into the world of India's most revered animals – the zebu cattle.

These magnificent hump-backed creatures aren't just livestock – they're living embodiments of India's spiritual heritage, agricultural wisdom, and cultural identity. For thousands of years, zebus have been interwoven with the fabric of Indian community life – from religious ceremonies and agricultural practices to family economics and traditional medicine.

Sandeep shares how his passion for zebus began with his personal story. What started as curiosity blossomed into a calling that eventually led him to establish Surabhi Goshala, an organization dedicated to supporting Indian communities in preserving both their zebu populations and the spiritual practices surrounding these sacred animals.

On today's episode, we'll explore how zebu conservation is truly about nurturing homes – both the physical landscapes where these animals thrive and the spiritual homes they represent in people's hearts. You'll discover:

• How ancient Vedic practices recognized the zebu's importance not just as livestock but as sacred beings worthy of reverence and protection
• The remarkable traditional knowledge systems that have sustained healthy zebu populations for generations before modern veterinary medicine
• The threats facing both zebus and the communities that depend on them – from industrial agriculture to changing religious attitudes
• How Sandeep's is NGO partnering with Hindu Temples across Arizona and US to preserve both zebus and the wisdom surrounding them

What makes this work so powerful is that it connects environmental conservation directly with spiritual practice. When we help a family maintain their traditional rituals that have shaped Indian identity for centuries.

From the Go Puja ceremonies honoring cattle as divine mothers, to the intricate knowledge of which zebu breeds thrive in specific microclimates, to the passing down of special mantras used while milking – these traditions create a holistic relationship between people, animals, and the divine that modern agricultural systems simply can't replicate.

Sandeep and his family are true heroes of this story: people who maintain sacred cow shelters called gaushalas, he shares his passion blending traditional practices with modern marketing, and spiritual leaders articulating why zebu protection is essential for dharmic living.

Whether you're interested in animal conservation, spiritual traditions, cultural preservation, or simply love fascinating stories about human-animal connections, I promise you'll find something meaningful in these conversations.

So join me as we explore this beautiful intersection of passion, purpose and preservation! Together, we'll discover how supporting traditional zebu practices isn't just about protecting animals – it's about nurturing the spiritual home that sustains us all.

If you feel moved to support the NGO's work with zebu conservation and community empowerment, visit Surabhi Goshala US to learn how you can contribute.

Now, let's begin our journey into the sacred world of zebus!