Dharamraj Ranka’s Gau Nivas celebrates silver jubilee with devotion and service
HYDERABAD, Nov 13 (the CONNECT) – At an age when most people slow down, 85-year-old philanthropist Dharamraj Ranka, known across Telangana as the Barefoot Saint of Hyderabad, continues to walk — literally barefoot — in service of thousands of cows he calls his family. His life’s work, the Satyam Shivam Sundaram Gau Nivas in Gaganpahad, marked its 25th anniversary on Sunday with a day-long celebration of faith, music, and compassion.
Founded by Ranka a quarter century ago, the Gau Nivas has evolved into India’s best-maintained cow shelter, caring for over 6,000 cows, calves, and bullocks. Spread across eight acres with 80,000 sq. ft. of RCC sheds, the centre functions as both sanctuary and symbol — where every animal lives out its life in dignity. Milk is left for calves, dung is sold to farmers as organic manure, and no cow is ever abandoned. The shelter employs over 100 workers and spends nearly ₹70 lakh a month on upkeep.
True to his vow of humility, Ranka gave up footwear 25 years ago and still travels by auto-rickshaw to personally invite devotees to Gau Seva events. “When you serve cows, you serve humanity,” he said, as thousands of devotees gathered to celebrate the centre’s silver jubilee.
The anniversary featured a Panchkundathmak Chandi Havanam, led by P.P. Pandit Sri Harishchandraji Kulkarni under the blessings of P.P. 1008 Sri Seva Ramji (Bapji Maharaj) of Ramnath Ashram, followed by the Annakut Mahotsav, where devotees offered mountains of food as thanksgiving and shared it as prasadam. Ranka said the Havanam was intended not only for spiritual harmony but also as a message to combat environmental degradation. “It’s no longer just global warming; it’s a global warning. Protecting nature is the truest form of worship,” he reminded the gathering.
Over 15,000 devotees and animal lovers attended the event, which featured devotional music by noted bhajan artists Purva Guru, Arun Dhadhichi, and Arun Dev, alongside a Kathak performance by Eesha Jain.
Ranka’s efforts go beyond the Gaganpahad shelter. He helped establish the Maa Saraswathi Veterinary Hospital near Shamshabad, built at a cost of ₹3 crore with donations from animal lovers. The facility treats 40,000 cattle annually and performs up to 3,000 surgeries, standing as a testament to his enduring mission of service.
From jeweller to Gau Sevak, Dharamraj Ranka has lived his vow of barefoot humility — one compassionate step at a time.
