When some of the kids in the ashrama become anxious for more excitement they like to take a bath here in the cow dung! This “pool” of dung is situated right next to the goshalla (cow barn). The kitchen is situated nearby and uses the methane gas extracted from the dung to power the stoves that cook our lunch. Believe it or not here in Bengal and in many other parts of rural India cow dung is actually a valuable commodity. The dung is collected and form into round patties and laid to dry out in the sun. When it is dry it is used as firewood (firedung). It is often said that cow dung is not only pure but medicinal to the human body. Apparently, this has also been confirmed by modern science. Indeed many kitchens in rural India have their entire floor covered with dry cow dung. This all may sound a bit too far out for westerners but it is common practice here in India.
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