Dung cakes, made from the by-products of animal husbandry, are traditionally used as fuel in India for cooking food in a domestic hearth called a Chulha. They are handmade by village women and traditionally crafted from cow or buffalo dung. One dung cake of average size provides 2100 kJ worth of energy.
Burning dried cow dung cakes is also believed to repel insects and mosquitoes. Cow dung is also believed to have mood-enhancing properties, as it contains bacteria named Mycobacterium vaccae, which activates neurons producing serotonin.
Dung cakes or biogas serve as renewable and sustainable energy resources, replacing dependence on charcoal, fuel wood, firewood, and fossil fuels.
In Hindu culture, cows are revered as the abode of 33 crore (330 million) gods and goddesses. In this context, cow dung is considered pure and auspicious. In traditional Indian homes, especially in rural areas, a layer of cow dung is often spread on floors and walls.
Besides its mention in ancient texts for medicinal purposes, cow dung has been historically used as a substitute for soap for cleansing purposes. Renowned for its antibacterial properties, cow dung can be used as a body pack for detoxification and prevention of pimples."
