Our History

Part 3: Caring for animals

The community’s first companions were a small herd of goats that helped clear the brambles and undergrowth from the driveway. Then came four pedigree jersey cows, the start of our current herd, who helped sustain the community with dairy products. Milk and yogurt were essential ingredients in temple worship – poured over the murthi during a mahabishekam (the ritual purification of sacred icons).

The veg garden at Skanda Vale in the 1970's

Vegetable garden

The Community had hardly any money, so food was very basic. The monks had porridge, rice and dahl every day, and not much else. Fruit and vegetables were a treat, rather than a staple, and were mostly grown in our garden. Only vegetarian food is served at Skanda Vale.

Two Jersey cows by a caravan at Skanda Vale in the 1970's

Animals

The Community’s first companions were a herd of goats, who helped by eating all the overgrown brambles from the fields. Next came a herd of Jersey cows, whose dairy products sustained the Community. Their milk and yogurt is used as an offering in mahabishekams.

Guru Sri Subramanium working in the fields at Skanda Vale

Guru working

Guru did as much work as anyone else. No job was too menial for him, because he could feel the presence of God in everything – his work was his worship.

Monks making hay at Skanda Vale in the 1970's

Hay making

The biggest job of the year was making hay to feed the animals during the winter. All the Community rolled their sleeves up and worked until nightfall.

Valli the elephant

1981: Our Temple Elephant ‘Valli’ was a gift from the Sri Lankan government. She had been orphaned as a baby and was found hiding with a herd of buffalo.

Fundamental to the philosophy of Skanda Vale is that all life is sacred. Many of our animals have been saved from neglect and slaughter. Their welfare is seen as an important part of the community’s discipline and training. Through selfless service, we learn to overcome our egocentric nature and begin to experience the presence of the Divine in every facet of Creation.

One of our most popular animals is ‘Valli’, our temple elephant. As a baby, she had been discovered by Sri Lankan villagers, sheltering with a herd of wild buffalo. She was taken to an elephant orphanage, and a year later, was donated to us by President Jayawardena – in recognition of our service to Sri Lankans living in the UK.

Valli the Temple Elephant: Swami Karuna has been Valli's carer since she first joined the community, over 35 years ago.

Our History: Part 4

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Our History

Part 3: Caring for animals

Our History: Part 4

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