A Hindu temple is heralding the birth of a baby cow as a “symbol of reconciliation” between its community and the RSPCA.

A cow named Aditi gave birth to the female calf, named Gangotri, in the early hours of this morning, one month after arriving at Bhaktivedanta Manor, in Letchmore Heath.

Tensions grew between the temple and the animal welfare charity, following the death of another cow named Gangotri in December 2007.

The RSPCA sanctioned the death of the cow, a sacred animal in the Hindu religion, after it was injured during a mating accident.

The charity has since apologised for its actions and donated a new cow, named Aditi, to Bhaktivedanta Manor in January 2009.

The new calf will live in New Gokul, the largest cow protection centre in Europe based at the temple, which is due to be completed in August at a cost of £2.1million.

Kapil Dudakia, the chair of the Gangotri Task Force, said: "The whole community is ecstatic with this tremendous news. Only last month we saw the arrival of Aditi to the temple in all her splendour and today the birth of Gangotri has brought in an auspicious era for all our diverse communities to celebrate life and a new beginning together."

Srutidharma das, chairman of Bhaktivedanta Manor, added: “The community at Bhaktivedanta Manor is celebrating the arrival of the new calf and it is a great beginning to the year.”