Rishi Sunak 'performs cow pooja' with wife Akshata Murthy: Watch video

Hindus across the world were delighted and amused as UK PM candidate Rishi Sunak performs Gau Pooja in London alongwith wife Akshata Murthy.

UK-born Rishi Sunak is considered a favourable candidate to succeed Boris Johnson as the British Prime Minister. As revealed by pictures and videos the Conservative Party leader performed aarti standing to the side of a cow. Earlier too, the PM aspirant celebrated Hindu festival Janmashtami with great fervor and enthusiasm.

In a multi-step ritual Sunak appears to be offering holy water to the cow after touching its feet as Akshata, daughter of Infosys founder Narayan Muthry, offers some carrots to the Gau Mata.


A Pandit, who is officiating the ritual, hands a diya and tell the couple to wave the aarti flames all around the cow.

Many from the Indian community rejoiced that the former UK Chancellor has seemingly embraced his culture and displaying it too.

A Twitter user said, "This strongly shows that India has 'arrived' on the world stage and we are no longer embarrassed or ashamed to display our rich cultural heritage. Jai Sanatan Dharam. #rishisunak #gaumata #dharma


The Richmond MP has time and again showed that despite him being a 'thoroughly British', he has not forgot his roots and he has strong belief in Hinduism. Sunak once said that he never touch beef.

Days before worshipping cow, the PM candidate had celebrated Janmashtami and posted pictures on Instagram from his visit to the ISKCON Bhaktivedanta Manor, north of London.

“Today I visited the Bhaktivedanta Manor temple with my wife Akshata to celebrate Janmashtami, in advance of the popular Hindu festival celebrating Lord Krishna’s birthday,” he wrote.

Rishi Sunak is running against Liz Truss in the UK Prime Minister race.