Kathmandu (AsiaNews) – The price of purified cow urine is six times that of milk thanks to a campaign by Hindu holy men.
The venerable gurus have been able to convince customers of urine’s curative properties. In their view, it “guarantees long life, and cures many diseases, like cancer and diabetes.”
Rosan Gaudel keeps cows to sell their milk. Now he is getting into the urine business. “It is hard to believe it but it is true,” he explained. “Not only sick people but healthy people too believe that it [urine] can protect them from future illnesses."
"We purify the urine by removing all forms of waste, so that we can sell it in the market,” said Yogi Naraharinath, a Hindu religious leader. ““Demand is strong because it is an effective remedy. My followers are happy to drink it, both out of respect for sacred cows and for its healing powers."
Nanimaya Poudel, 80, is a regular customer. “I drink a glass of urine every day,” she said. “In our religion, the cow is a symbol of the goddess Laxmi, who brings well-being and wealth. The gurus say this way I can cure any illness in my stomach. It is also a way to protect Nepal’s cows."