Can a cow fit into an HDB lift?

Yes it can, as dairy farm manager Rajagopal Balakrishnan found out when he herded the 400kg animal into a lift as part of a housewarming for a Hindu couple.

In fact, make that two: He even managed to get its calf inside as well.

Decorated with colourful shawls, bells and garlands, the well-trained pair were led into the lift together.

When they reached the fifth-floor flat in Punggol Place, they were welcomed by the new home owners.

Madam K. Vasugidevi told The Sunday Times that she got the idea of hiring a cow for the housewarming from her parents, who had done the same in India.

"We believe the cows will bring good luck and blessings to our home," said the 44-year-old pre-school teacher, who paid $1,000 to rent the animals from Vicknesh Dairy Farm in Lim Chu Kang.

Prayers were said and the cattle were walked through the home for about 10 minutes, while everyone waited in anticipation for one of them to lay its dung or urinate.

That, explained priest R. Sivasubramaniam from the Sri Thendayuthapani Temple on Tank Road, would be a good omen.

Can a cow fit in an HDB flat? Click on thumbnail to view (Photos: ST, Desmond Lim)