The cow in the saree shop

[zafra52]

I took this in India in February last year. Our group was told that
one day a cow stepped in the shop and the owner and the shop
assistance managed to get it out of the premises, but made no
sales that day. The same happened the following day and the day
after. On the fourth day, the owner decided to let the animal to
its own devices since they were making no sales who would care?
The cow made its ways towards the counter and went on her knees
before the statute of the god Lord Shiva and settled down
peacefully. To the owner’s surprise customers walked into his shop
and spent money. Nowadays, locals buy garments in this Varanasi
shop; while groups of tourists take pictures from the muddy street.

[stubbsy]

Great synergy between story and image. This is the essence of photography.

[Remorhaz]

aren't they sacred here so presumably they bring good luck and you wouldn't want to shoo them off?

[zafra52]

Thank you both for taking time to see the photo and leave some comments.
As tourists, we are are told some stories that may or may not be true; in this
case is improbable, but it provides an interesting background to the otherwise
unusual scene.

We were on our way to see the Ganges evening ceremony so the group leader
gave us only a brief time (1 or 2 minutes) to take a picture from the street,
which was filthy, crowded with people and vehicles before we were forced
to move on. Varanasi is a city full of wonders and photographic opportunities
and any who has been there will agree with this view.

You are quite correct in Hinduism the cow is sacred and revered. It is used as
the preferred form of transport of the lord Shiva, as you can see the picture
above. Any public aggression towards a cow will not be regarded simply as
cruelty to an animal, but as a religious and cultural outrage so if you visit
India be very kind and get out of a cow’s way. I saw a cow push one lady of
our group, who stood in its way, firmly and forcefully out of her way to the
amazement of other tourists.