Only Cow Dung — and Look What It Built: An Inspiring Story
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Most people see gobar as waste. A small team saw a possibility. Starting with nothing more than the dung of Gir cows, Surbhika has built a full range of natural products, steady work for village women and support for 22 goshalas. Is it really possible to do so much with only gobar? This is the proof.
A humble beginning
It began with a goshala and a stubborn question: could cow dung become something families would welcome into their pooja rooms? It took 14+ years of formulation on panchgavya to answer it. Read where it all started in The Surbhika Story.
When the machines did not exist
Around 2013 there were simply no machines to make bamboo-less dhoop or Chhana Tikki. So the team built their own — one trial at a time. The hardest part was not the machine but the smell: turning gobar into a fragrance people love took relentless research.
What gobar made possible
- Work with dignity: about 85% of the workforce are women — see the women behind the craft
- Cows cared for: partnership with 22 local goshalas
- A real product range: dhoop sticks, cups, cones, modak, Gobarbatti and the much-loved Chhana Tikki
The lesson
Value is not in how costly a material is, but in the care, research and hands that shape it. “Gobar se bane utpaad mehenge nahin hote — moolyavaan hote hain.” If this story inspires you, grow with Surbhika as a partner.
Frequently asked questions
Can cow dung really be used to make products?
Yes - processed Gir cow dung, blended with herbs, forms the base for Surbhika's dhoop sticks, cups, cones, Gobarbatti and Chhana Tikki.
How long did it take Surbhika to develop gobar incense?
Over 14 years of formulation work on panchgavya, including building its own machines around 2013.
Who makes Surbhika products?
About 85% of the workforce are women, many from villages, working with 22 local goshalas.
What is the biggest challenge in making gobar incense?
Turning the natural smell of cow dung into a fragrance people love, without charcoal or harmful chemicals.
How does buying Surbhika help?
It supports goshalas, cow care and steady work for village women.
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