Indo-Australian Culture Foundation
A not-for-profit organisation dedicated to preserving the spiritual and cultural heritage of India in Australia. We bring together the Hindu community through devotion, Goseva, and the timeless teachings of Sanatan Dharma.
The Indo-Australian Culture Foundation, trading as Bageshwar Dham Mandal, is a registered Australian not-for-profit organisation (ABN 93 695 554 128) based in Canberra, ACT.
We were established to serve as a living bridge between the people of India and Australia — honouring the ancient wisdom of Sanatan Dharma while building a connected, spiritually grounded Indian community across Australia.
Our work spans spiritual gatherings and satsangs, cultural events celebrating Indian heritage, and the running of Canberra's only Gaushala — a sacred sanctuary for cow protection and Goseva in the heart of the nation's capital.
We are guided by the ancient Vedic principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam — the world is one family — and we welcome all who seek to connect with their spiritual roots.
Canberra, ACT, Australia
ABN: 93 695 554 128
Indo-Australian Culture Foundation
t/as Bageshwar Dham Mandal
Pujya Pandit Dhirendra Krishna Shastri Ji — Visiting Canberra
Revered across India and the world as Bageshwar Dham Sarkar, Pujya Pandit Dhirendra Krishna Shastri is the Peethadhish of Shri Baba Bageshwar Dham in Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh. He is one of the most beloved and widely followed spiritual leaders of the present generation.
From a devout family rooted in the Vaishnava tradition, Shastri Ji dedicated himself to the study of the scriptures and the worship of Lord Hanuman from a very young age. He conducts Ram Katha — the divine story of Lord Ram — with extraordinary devotion, depth, and a rare gift for connecting millions of people to the sacred teachings of the Ramayana.
Through the Divya Darbar at Bageshwar Dham, Shastri Ji has been a source of miraculous comfort and healing for countless devotees who come seeking blessings and guidance. His message is one of unity, love, peace, and the eternal relevance of Sanatan Dharma in modern life.
Shastri Ji has undertaken international spiritual tours across more than ten countries, drawing vast gatherings and inspiring Hindu communities around the world to reconnect with their spiritual heritage.
Date: Wednesday, 8th April 2026
Time: 5:00 PM
Venue: Parliament House, Parliament Dr, Canberra ACT 2600
Entry: Free. Limited seats. Scan the QR code on the official event poster to register.
Organised by: Indo-Australian Culture Foundation (Bageshwar Dham Mandal) · iacf.org.au
This event is completely free. No payment is ever required to attend or to receive darshan. Please register only through official channels. Report any suspicious activity to the contacts above.
* Timings are indicative and may vary on the day
The event is held at Parliament House, one of Australia's most iconic and secured venues. All attendees must pass through standard Parliament House security screening — please allow extra time on arrival and carry valid photo ID.
Seating is limited. To register, scan the QR code on the official event poster or contact the organisers directly. Entry is completely free of charge.
Devotees are warmly encouraged to dress in traditional Indian attire. The event will be conducted in Hindi and Sanskrit.
Parliament House is located at Parliament Dr, Canberra ACT 2600. On-site parking is available. The venue is also accessible by ACTION bus from the Canberra city centre.
The only Gaushala in the ACT — run by the Indo-Australian Culture Foundation
In Sanatan Dharma, the cow — Gau Mata — holds a uniquely sacred place. Revered as a symbol of abundance, purity, and the nurturing life force of the earth, she has been honoured in the Vedic tradition for thousands of years. The scriptures describe the cow as a living embodiment of the divine, containing within her the essence of all the gods and goddesses.
The Rigveda, Atharvaveda, and other sacred texts speak of the cow as Aghnya — one who must not be harmed. Lord Krishna himself was a devoted cowherd, and his deep love for cows is central to his divine story.
The cow offers humanity five sacred gifts — milk, ghee, curd, gomutra (urine), and gobar (dung) — together known as Panch Gavya. These are used in Ayurvedic medicine, rituals, and agriculture, symbolising the cow's role as a sustainer of life.
Caring for cows — Goseva — is considered one of the most meritorious acts in Sanatan Dharma. It is believed to bring immense spiritual merit, blessings, and the removal of sins. Serving Gau Mata is serving the divine herself.
The protection of cows is a living expression of Ahimsa — non-violence — one of the foundational values of Hindu philosophy. A Gaushala embodies this compassion in action, providing sanctuary for cows who would otherwise face harm.
Vedic culture recognised the cow's role in sustaining the agricultural ecosystem. Cow dung enriches the soil; cow urine purifies. The Gaushala tradition is as much an ecological act as a spiritual one — deeply connected to the land.
For the Indian diaspora in Australia, a Gaushala is more than a sanctuary — it is a living link to the cultural and spiritual homeland. It is a place where community gathers, children learn, and ancient traditions are kept alive.
The Indo-Australian Culture Foundation is blessed to operate the only Gaushala in Canberra and the entire ACT region. This is a genuine sanctuary — a working cow shelter where Gau Mata is cared for with love, reverence, and devotion, in the heart of Australia's capital city.
The Gaushala is run entirely through the voluntary efforts and donations of the community. Every day, dedicated volunteers tend to the cows, maintaining their health, welfare, and spiritual wellbeing in accordance with Vedic principles.
The cows at our Gaushala are treated as family. They are never sold for slaughter. They live out their natural lives in safety, comfort, and dignity — protected and loved by the community that cares for them.
Our Gaushala also serves as a gathering point for the community — a place for Gau Puja, for connecting with the living tradition of Goseva, and for teaching the next generation about the importance of the cow in our culture.
Financial donations go directly towards feed, veterinary care, and the maintenance of the Gaushala. Even a small monthly contribution makes a meaningful difference to the welfare of our cows.
Come and spend time at the Gaushala. Help with feeding, cleaning, and the daily care of the cows. Goseva is open to all — young and old, newcomers and devoted regulars.
Sponsor a cow's care on a monthly basis. Cow adoption is a deeply meritorious act — you receive updates on your adopted Gau Mata and the blessings of knowing she is safe and loved.
Participate in Gau Puja ceremonies and community gatherings at the Gaushala. These events are open to all and offer a meaningful way to connect with this ancient tradition.
All donations to the Gaushala are received by the Indo-Australian Culture Foundation · ABN 93 695 554 128