Traffic Circles in Vadodara haven't any real theme and appear to be quite varied - some purely secular, funded by a private individual, whilst others are more religious or political in content.
The Cow Circle is an important landmark - its gleaming whiteness, the typical Indian cow with its hump and long ears and little calf are a reference point in Productivity Road. The axis of this busy commercial thoroughfare starts and finishes with a circular temple at each end, the Cow Circle, halfway down, marks an important transverse junction with another major road.
Real cows are a fact of life in India as they wander through the town - they seem to be quite aware of traffic and have as much sensitivity to its randomness as any savvy rickshaw driver. Their sheer bulk, size and number though, ensure that they have right of way at all times. But of course the cow is sacred in Hindu culture and they are respected and venerated by all. Given the choice, a car driver would rather knock down a person than a cow, if put to the test.
Their ambling gait and placid temperament in the midst of the frenetic traffic, does indeed seem to have certain divine qualities and everyone is familiar with the story of Lord Krishna, who was a cow herder and Nandi the Bull, Shiva's avatar. Further they provide milk which yields butter and supplies ghee, used in all sacred rituals and sacrifices.
With its gleaming whiteness, the Cow Circle sculpture, though essentially Indian, makes one think fleetingly of Della Robbia in Italy !
The Cow Circle is an important landmark - its gleaming whiteness, the typical Indian cow with its hump and long ears and little calf are a reference point in Productivity Road. The axis of this busy commercial thoroughfare starts and finishes with a circular temple at each end, the Cow Circle, halfway down, marks an important transverse junction with another major road.
Real cows are a fact of life in India as they wander through the town - they seem to be quite aware of traffic and have as much sensitivity to its randomness as any savvy rickshaw driver. Their sheer bulk, size and number though, ensure that they have right of way at all times. But of course the cow is sacred in Hindu culture and they are respected and venerated by all. Given the choice, a car driver would rather knock down a person than a cow, if put to the test.
Their ambling gait and placid temperament in the midst of the frenetic traffic, does indeed seem to have certain divine qualities and everyone is familiar with the story of Lord Krishna, who was a cow herder and Nandi the Bull, Shiva's avatar. Further they provide milk which yields butter and supplies ghee, used in all sacred rituals and sacrifices.
With its gleaming whiteness, the Cow Circle sculpture, though essentially Indian, makes one think fleetingly of Della Robbia in Italy !
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