Mangaluru: The new attraction in the quaint town of Dharmasthala is a part-cow-part-car that gained instant fame over the internet when the Chairman of Mahindra Group, Anand Mahindra tweeted a video about it.
On December 23 and wrote: “I don’t think @elonmusk & Tesla can match the low cost of this renewable energy-fuelled car. Not sure about the emissions level, though, if you take methane into account.”
I don’t think @elonmusk & Tesla can match the low cost of this renewable energy-fuelled car. Not sure about the emissions level, though, if you take methane into account… pic.twitter.com/C7QzbEOGys
— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) December 23, 2020
Even before the video was released, it has been a part of the Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatha Temple’s ingenious innovations. They have has now added Gau Rickshaw (Cow Rickshaw) and Gau Car. (Cow Car) to their latest attractions
The temple has stated that they have enhanced the ancient designs of bullock carts and created this new energy-efficient alternative. This cart has modern tyres, a hydraulic brake and a parking jack to make the task much easier and efficient. The mechanism of the cart is light and extremely fluid. The staff of the Manjusha car museum and SDM Polytechnic students assisted in the construction of the hybrid card.
It is indeed a picturesque sight, to watch the cart carry out its small expeditions around the temple with the bull, Vitthala, with his bell tinkling around the neck. The 5-year-old Punganoor breed bull enjoys all the love and attention he gets from the devotees, as he proudly and slowly moves around. People also take photos and also selfies with the Gau car/rickshaw.
As per temple officials “Dharmasthala is conserving the traditional ways of life in every way they can, but with the addition of modern comforts”. A portion of an old ambassador car has been used for the Gau car, that is drawn by Ongole breed bulls. The vehicle has beautified with a dashing wheel cap and an efficient brake.
Sources reveal that both the vehicles have been developed under the guidance of Dharmasthala Dharm Adhikari Dr D Veerendra Heggade, Harshendra Kumar and Diwakar, caretaker of the car museum.
