Why cow is holy in India ?

cow

A cow is holy in India due to its medicinal properties. Cow has fertility and nurturing qualities.

In north India and south India  it was the source of food in ancient time.  Cow takes nothing more then water and grass and gives a lot. So it is symbol of earth too. Same way a human being should be useful to society and he should not harm the society and nature. The cow also gives us teaching of non violence and selfless service to society

In ancient time and in present people who live in villages are based on cow food products and cow dung is used as a fuel and fertilizer  for agriculture. Cow consumes only water, grass from earth and produces healthy products.

Hindus have stopped eating beef for practical reasons.
Gifting a cow to someone means you are giving him an opportunity to make living. He can get food for himself and also make living by selling milk products.

Comparison of cow with other animals  -

1 - Cow's milk develops the growth of child's mind while other animal's milk increases fat.

2 - Cow's dung is source of  energy for households.

3- Cow produces clarified liquid butter (ghee) which is used to perform yagya (fire performance).

Yagya 

When we put ghee into fire it cleanses the environment around it.




Reference - Different Internet sites