A husband and father-of-two in India has abandoned his family to live full-time with his cows, who he thanks for saving his life.
Vijay Parsana, 44, is so obsessed with his cows he bathes, eats, watches television and shares his bed with them. He even drinks their urine and dung. claiming it’s good for his health. and that he once survived for 22 days on cow’s urine alone.
The father of two left his family five years back and started living in a religious retreat, about four miles away from his home in Ahmedabad, in Gujarat, India, to spend time with his cows.
Earlier this year he spent £20,000 on a wedding for two of his herd, and unbelievably his family appear to be fully behind his new life.
Vijay Parsana, 44, pictured kissing Poonam, his cow, at his ashram in Ahmedabad in Gujarat, India
Vijay Parsana and Saraswati, a calf, pictured sleeping on a cot, at his home in India
Vijay and his bull Bhola inside his kitchen in India. The 44-year-old left his family to live with cows
Vijay Parsana, 44, pictured with two-month-old calf Saraswati and her mother Poonam, a cow, at his ashram
When Vijay first moved to Ahmedabad he fell into gambling but when he started spending time with his cows he changed.
He said: ‘My love for cows is unexplainable. There’s nothing dearer to me than my cows.
‘When I’m with them I forget the world. When I’m with them, nothing in the world worries me.
‘We’ve developed a special connection and my family is really happy for me.
‘I believe I understand them and they understand me. I share all my joys and sorrows with them.’
Vijay also owns two bulls, six dogs and more than 2,000 other animals including peacocks, rabbits, birds and snakes but he says that his three cows – Radha, Poonam and Saraswati – hold a special place in his heart.
In March, last year, Vijay married his cow Poonam and bull Arjun in a lavish function with over 5,000 guests costing him Rs 1,800,000 (£20,000).
In a traditional Hindu ceremony, Poonam was given away to Arjun, with a huge list of gifts.
And this year Vijay celebrated the one-month birthday of Saraswati – Poonam and Arjun’s calf – who Vijay calls his granddaughter, and spent almost Rs 500,000 (£6,000) on a party with over 300 guests.
Vijay added: ‘Whatever I am today is because of my cows. My financial status, health and personality all have changed because of them.
‘The cow is like our mother. I urge everyone to own a cow and see the change it brings to your life.’
Vijay covers his calf Saraswati with a blanket as he tucks her up to bed at his home in India
Vijay adopted the culture of loving animals from his parents and grandparents who owned several cows and dogs in their house
Vijay is so obsessed with cows that he baths, eats, plays, roams and shares his bed with them
Vijay grew up loving animals but owned his first cow in 2012.
He said: ‘Throughout my childhood I was interested in yoga and health. I researched various natural elements that are beneficial to the body.
‘And when I got to know how cows milk, its urine and cow dung is full of goodness I committed fully.’
Vijay’s wife, Geeta Parsana, 44, and other family members, friends and relatives thought he was crazy at first but once they noticed the changes in him they accepted his devotion.
Every morning before he goes to work in one of the 22 gyms he owns in the city, he drinks urine and eats dung for breakfast.
Two-month-old Saraswati even goes to work with him.
He added: ‘I now balance my time between family, work and my cows.
‘After I leave the office at 5pm I see my family for a bit before I return to the ashram and spend the night with my cows.
‘I have dinner with Saraswati, watch TV and then we fall asleep together. I used to sleep with Poonam but now it’s Saraswati.
‘I have the same bond with Radha and Poonam, but they’re so big they don’t fit in my house as well now.’
Animal-lover Vijay poses for a picture while his cows eat from big, blue buckets in the yard
Arjun the bull is dressed and made ready for his wedding to Poonam, a cow, in Ahmedabad
In March, last year, Vijay married his cow Poonam and bull Arjun in a lavish function with over 5,000 guests costing him Rs 1,800,000 (£20,000)
Vijay Parsana, 44, (in blue – centre) and his guests greeting Saraswati the calf during the function organised by him to celebrate her birth at his home
Vijay claims that once he survived 22 days drinking only cow’s urine.
‘It kept me well hydrated and nourished,’ he claimed. ‘Cow urine is full of nutrients. It helps the body to wash oil and toxins and impurities out of the body.
‘Consuming one cup in the morning can give you better health. Everyone should try it.’