Jaya Govinda Das leads 2024 guests on a hay ride through the New Talavana farm.

The annual Cow Fest, or Go-Puja Mela, is a celebration with deep roots at ISKCON New Talavana, nestled in the peaceful countryside of Mississippi. Each year, this festival unites a diverse community to support the Krishna’s Cows farming initiative, an essential effort that sustains the sacred practice of cow protection, a vital aspect of the Krishna Consciousness experience. Lilavati Devi Dasi, a dedicated member of the festival management and organizing team, has witnessed this event evolve into a cornerstone for raising awareness and funds for cow protection, engaging people from all walks of life in its mission of love and reverence for animals.

The GoPuja Mela team, consisting of Kalindi Devi Dasi, Sukadeva Goswami Das, Gopal Krishna Das, Narasimha Das, and Lilavati Devi Dasi, features various departments that work together to support one another. In addition, Mahabala Nitai Das, Karuna Gopika Devi Dasi, Jaya Govinda Das, Bhakti Mohini Devi Dasi, Danakeli Devi Dasi, Prithusrava Das, Dr. Durgesh Agarwal, Swan Michelle, and the ISKCON New Orleans devotees went above and beyond to make the 2024 Cow Festival possible. 

For the past seven years, Lilavati has shared space with them at the heart of the Cow Festival, participating in its transformation from a simple gathering into a multi-faceted experience that celebrates community, spirituality, and sustainability. “It all started with me helping out with the vendor booths,” she recalled, “but over the years, my role has expanded into managing finances, organizing yoga programs, and more.” The festival now offers a wide range of activities, from farm tours to yoga classes, all aimed at raising funds and fostering a deep connection to the cows. Each event highlights New Talavana’s commitment to a lifestyle in harmony with the land and its creatures.

The Cow Festival’s team of helpers is composed mainly of young devotees, many of whom were raised in New Talavana, bringing a fresh perspective to this long-standing tradition. “We’re lucky to have a team of youth who grew up here,” she said with a sense of pride. Their experiences and memories on the farm have shaped their dedication to keeping this legacy alive. The energy they bring is palpable, infusing the festival with both enthusiasm and a strong sense of continuity.

Like many community-driven initiatives, the Cow Festival has faced its share of challenges. One recent setback was the unexpected shutdown of the festival website, which hindered the management team’s ability to communicate with attendees and volunteers just before the event. “The website going down was a real blow,” Lilavati shared, “but thanks to the resourcefulness of our team, we quickly found ways to maintain the essential communication and keep things running smoothly.” Despite these technical difficulties, the management team adapted, coordinating through social media and direct outreach to ensure the festival’s success.

The challenges only strengthened their resolve. Social media, while still an emerging focus for the team, became a crucial platform. “This is an area where we really need help,” Lilavati admitted. “Marketing and social media strategy are not our strong suits, but we’re learning and reaching out to others who can guide us.” They manage a Facebook page, Instagram account, and a yet-to-be-relaunched website, striving to connect with a broader audience and raise awareness for the cause.

The festival’s success has translated into direct support for Krishna’s Cows. This program not only provides sanctuary for cows but also fosters sustainable farming practices. “The cows play an essential role in maintaining the ecosystem here,” Lilavati explained. Their manure enriches the soil, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers and promoting healthier crops. This symbiotic relationship with nature embodies the principles of ahimsa, or nonviolence that are core to the community’s values.

Attendees of the Cow Fest 2024 experienced the transformative effects of these practices firsthand. One friend of Lilavati, who is mindful of her blood sugar, shared how drinking fresh, local sugarcane juice at the festival—despite its sweetness—didn’t cause a glucose spike, thanks to the rich minerals and natural fibers it contains. “She can just drink that sugarcane juice,” Lilavati shared. “Even though you might think it’s so sweet, it doesn’t affect her blood sugar the way you’d expect because it’s so good for you, straight from the earth.” This experience resonated with attendees, demonstrating the health benefits of locally sourced, earth-centered foods offered at the festival, further reinforcing New Talavana’s holistic, sustainable lifestyle.

The festival was a vibrant event that offered a mix of activities aimed at engaging a wide range of interests. Visitors enjoyed vendor booths featuring handcrafted goods and local produce, live kirtans, yoga sessions, children’s activities, and an inspiring temple tour that introduced attendees to the history and practices of the ISKCON community.

Devotees organized special workshops focused on cow care, sustainability, and natural farming, all in line with the festival’s broader mission. “This year, we were able to add more interactive experiences,” said Lilavati. “The yoga programs, in particular, allowed people to connect with the environment and each other in a very grounding way.” 

A highlight for those seeking a deeper spiritual connection was the Go-Puja ceremony, a sacred offering to honor the cows. Devotees gathered for this solemn yet joyous occasion, where each participant was encouraged to express gratitude for the cows’ contributions to the ecosystem and the community. The blend of traditional and contemporary elements created an atmosphere where attendees could explore both devotional practices and sustainable living.

As the festival grows, so do the team’s aspirations. One of their primary goals is to establish a fully functional website that can serve as a digital hub for New Talavana’s initiatives, making it easier for people to connect, volunteer, and donate. They also hope to improve their social media presence, reach a larger audience, and draw more volunteers to support the Krishna’s Cows initiative. Lilavati encourages those interested in getting involved to reach out via email.

She acknowledges that the team operates on a “shoestring budget” and consists mainly of volunteers, many of whom have full-time jobs and families. Despite these limitations, their collective devotion drives the festival forward. “We’re doing our best,” Lilavati said with a humble smile. “And we’re open to any feedback because, ultimately, we want to keep improving and doing more for the cows every year.”

The 2024 Cow Festival at New Talavana focused on themes of community involvement, faith, and resilience. This event brought together individuals who are passionate about animal welfare and the practice and preservation of traditional spiritual values. Through the dedication of the New Talavan and the organizing team, the festival has become more than an annual event—it’s a living, breathing tradition that honors the sanctity of the cow and promotes a sustainable way of life.

In Lilavati’s words, “It’s all about doing the best we can for the cows, year after year.” With a foundation rooted in love, New Talavana’s Cow Festival is poised to continue thriving, enriching the lives of its attendees, and inspiring future generations to embrace a life in harmony with nature.

Devotees can email the Cow Fest team or follow them on Facebook and Instagram for updates.