Ancient alchemy using cow dung is answer to air pollution, believes Institute for Studies in Vedic Sciences

In the time of global warming and growing pollution, saving the environment seems to be the cause celibre of a lot of people. However, while most people might advocate fixing your faucet and turning off your lights, not many would tell you that a yagna could help.

This is what the Institute for Studies in Vedic Sciences believes. According to its followers, the ancient vedic practice of Agnihotra releases into the air chemicals that absorb pollution and kill harmful bacteria.

In fact, they are celebrating the “World Agnihotra Day” on March 12 to popularise the notion. However, far from asking you to believe it on face value, the members of the Institute insist that the theory is based on sound scientific principles.

“Agnihotra is burning of cow dung along with ghee made from cow’s milk and rice in a pyramidical copper altar at sunrise and sunset while chanting specific mantras. We believe that through Agnihotra, certain chemicals are released into the air which absorb carbon and harmful chemicals. Also the fumes have been proven to be pathogenic killing harmful germs. The ash is considered to have medicinal properties,” says Dr Purshottam Rajanvale.

To most rational and critical minds, the first question is how can burning cow dung help the environment?

Dr Rajanvale answers, “Our institute scientifically researched the theory and I must admit though we are convinced of the effects, we don’t really understand the reasons. For example, we conducted an experiment at a junction in Pune in which we took air samples on a day without doing a morning and evening Agnihotra and a day after doing the Agnihotra. We noticed reduced levels of air pollution.”

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