Not every cow dung cake is a good cow dung cake. You may think some cow dung cakes are good (based on looks) but crumble before you can stick them outside. At Om Bhakti we feel that it's important to choose the right type of eco-friendly organic cow dung cake to use for your havan; not only do you want your havan to be a "real" havan; you also want to help improve your home air quality and reduce your impact on environmentally damaging pollution. This is your practical guide for identifying "real" cow dung cakes.

Why Cow Dung Cakes Belong in Traditional Havan

For Thousands of years, cow dung has been used to provide the fire for devotion throughout India. It has been referenced in ancient texts and in various Vedic rituals to be used as a means of purifying something (gomaya). Studies done today have confirmed that dried cow dung will burn consistently at a controlled maximum temperature, when used in the proper manner for producing a long-lasting flame while performing havan ceremonies. Therefore, unlike synthetic alternatives, if dung cakes are correctly prepared there would be very little soot produced if the dung is accurately constructed which is very important for conducting indoor rituals.

But here is the grab: "cow dung" alone does not guarantee quality. Your cake is origin story decide everything.

The Desi Cow Difference (No, Not All Cows Are Equal)

Real organic cow dung cakes will be made from Bos indicus (Sahiwal, Gir, Ongole) rather than high producing jersey or holstein hybrids. That is why there is a difference. Desi cattle have traditionally grazed on diverse natural grasses and forbs, thus affecting the composition of the dung and all the different types of microbes and the structure of the fibre has an effect on quality of burn.

As a result, hybrid cow dung will typically come from animals raised on grain in confined spaces. This can create a cake that burns inconsistently and creates noxious odors. When purchasing cow cakes,ask the seller,"What breed of cow were these obtained from?" Therefore, Om Bhakti sources its cow cakes from ethical farms that use native breeds.

What Makes Om Bhakti's Cow Dung Cakes Special?

At Om Bhakti, we do not just sell moo-cow dung cakes—we curate spiritual experiences. Additionally, Here is what sets our eco friendly organic cow dung cakes apart:

In addition, ☀️ Sun-Dried to Perfection We sun-dry our cakes the traditional way. This preserves the living beneficial microbes and guarantees a consistent burn quality. No machines or shortcuts are used in this process - just the perfect amount of time in the sun.

So, 🐄 From Happy, Healthy Cattle We work with only ethical goshalas that allow desi cattle to graze freely on organic pastures. Happy cattle create superior quality cow dung.

Yet, 🌿 100% Pure, Chemical-Free Ingredients Our cakes are made from 100% pure cow dung. No binding agents or clay, and no hidden surprises.

📦 Sustainable Packaging We use biodegradable packaging materials to wrap our cakes so that our commitment to sustainability extends beyond just the product.

Spotting Authentic Organic Preparation

Whether you’re buying Om Bhakti or any other products, look for these quality indicators.

Perfect consistency – Crumbly or too hard indicate bad moisture content. In contrast, The ideal cake should have good flexibility but is also somewhat porous. 

Earthy smell – Appropriately made Organic cakes should give off only dry soil odours rather than ammonia and/or rancid smell.   

When you use your candle, there should be very little to no residue left. Also, when burned, these cakes can burn over 20-30 minutes at a steady rate with little to no residue left behind.

So here is a pro tip – Established companies like Om Bhakti invite individuals to ask questions regarding how they source their ingredients from other providers. Transparency helps create repeat customers.

Eco Friendly Isn't Just a Label—It's a Promise

Sustainable cow dung cakes are a big part of contributing towards and supporting the circular economy. At Om Bhakti, each cake is a representation of:

1. Ethical animal husbandry - supporting the welfare of cows by enabling them to live dignified lives in Goshalas

2. Zero waste - used ash being returned to the ground as potassium based fertilizer

3. Supporting Local Livelihoods - creating opportunities for rural communities to create fair and sustainable partnerships.

By choosing to use Om Bhakti’s Cow Dung Cakes, you are not just purchasing a product - you are creating change!

Red Flags to Avoid

Stay away from cakes that:

- Have an unnatural or strong odour

- Leave behind a lot of black soot after burning

- Fall apart when you touch them

- Do not have any location of origin (for example, "just cow dung" is not enough evidence)

A point to remember is that real organic cow dung cakes will cost slightly more because of the extra care. Thus, if the price is suspiciously low then the quality will likely be much lower because the manufacturer took a cheaper route.

Why Choose Om Bhakti for Your Havan Needs?

In addition to offering an eco-friendly option for cow dung cakes, Om Bhakti provides a full line of puja products (such as cotton wicks, sacred herbs & more) that have been carefully selected for their purity & sustainability. Therefore, we believe that havan is about making a link to a greater power than oneself.

Explore our selection of eco friendly organic cow dung cake & other puja items at www.ombhakti.com. Any order shipped from Om Bhakti is done with love, care & respect throughout India.

Making Your Final Choice

Use a consistent location instead of perfecting the location when performing a daily havan. Having a dependable source to perform a havan, such as Om Bhakti, produces better results than using high-end imported sources that you are always searching out. Many temples in urban areas are teaming up with ethical farms. You can obtain recommendations from your priest or get quality products delivered to you from Om Bhakti. 

Store cakes in a dry, well-ventilated area; humidity destroys the ability to burn cakes faster than you can chant "Swaha."

The Bigger Picture

It is necessary to use organic, environment friendly cow dung cakes for puja, not just because it is the right way to do things but also because it supports the people who are producing it and preserving our traditions while contributing to environmental awareness among us all. Each time you purchase something from a responsibly sourced organic cow dung company you are directly supporting a rural working family, decreasing pesticide dependence and maintaining traditions that may soon vanish forever.

We at Om Bhakti think of havan smoke as being filled with your intention; therefore, you should have the same level of integrity in the fuel that burns! So really — the divine would rather have you burn something that won't irritate your eyes.

Want more out of your experience at home while doing havan?

Come by Om Bhakti today and purchase some of our authentic, 100% ecologically friendly puja supplies, shipped to your doorstep.