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India: A common representation of a holy cow - often portrayed as 'Krishna's cow' - and calf, 20th century

India: A common representation of a holy cow - often portrayed as 'Krishna's cow' - and calf, 20th century

Cattle are considered sacred in various world religions, most notably Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism as well as the religions of Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece, and Ancient Rome. In some regions, especially India, the slaughter of cattle may be prohibited and their meat may be taboo.

In Hinduism, Kamadhenu, the miraculous 'cow of plenty' and the 'mother of cows' is believed to represent the generic sacred cow, regarded as the source of all prosperity. All the gods are believed to reside in her body, a form of Kamadhenu often depicted in poster art.

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