Punganur cattle originated from Punganur in Chittoor district, situated at the south-eastern tip of the Deccan Plateau in Andhra Pradesh, India. This breed was developed by the Rajas of Punganur and was used for milking and other light agricultural operations.
Punganur is perhaps the world’s smallest humped cattle breed. It is widely known as an efficient milch breed. It is also drought resistant and able to survive exclusively on dry fodder. The Punganur cow is said to have the grace of a deer and a beautiful walking style.
It is considered auspicious to have this cow. These cows are said to receive cosmic energy at a higher magnitude and disseminate it all around.
It is a sad fact that this breed is on the verge of extinction. The decline of this pure Indian breed is mainly due to an earlier policy decision taken by the Government to “better” Indian cattle breeds by cross-breeding the Punganur with the Holstein-Friesian and Jersey cattle while banning the rearing of native bull breeds. The Punganur cattle are now being reared mainly on the Government Livestock Farm, Palamaner, Chittoor district, while a small informal group of private breeders are also working on reviving this revered species.
CowCare.Org
wholeheartedly supports this endeavor to preserve the Punganur breed of cattle.
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) has about 200 Punganur cows in its cattle-yard.
Ghee prepared from the milk of these cows is in the ‘Archana’ (offering) for Lord Venkateswara and for preparation of the famous Tirupati Laddoos.
