The crocodile which appeared on the lake on the Sri Ananthapadmanabha Swamy temple in Kasaragod.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Devotees on the Ananthapura Sri Ananthapadmanabha Swamy temple in Kasaragod district of Kerala have been shocked when a brand new crocodile appeared within the temple’s lake, a 12 months after the passing of the revered Babiya, a vegetarian crocodile, believed to be a ‘reincarnated deity’.
Babiya had gained reputation for its “divine connections”. It handed away on October 9, 2022.
The crocodile noticed on the temple lake
| Video Credit:
Special Arrangement
Uday Kumar Gatti, the chairman of the Temple, has confirmed the presence of the brand new crocodile after a household from Mavungal at Kanhangad reported its sighting final Wednesday (November 8, 2023). The household initially confronted criticism on social media after they posted footage of the reptile. However, after revisiting the temple on November 11, 2023, the household’s claims have been verified, he informed The Hindu.
This marks the third crocodile to make an look on the temple lake.
Legend has it that in 1945, a British soldier shot a crocodile on the temple lake, and shortly afterwards, Babiya emerged in it. To substantiate the current sighting, the temple committee despatched images to a crocodile professional in Chennai, confirming that the brand new crocodile belongs to the identical species as Babiya, mentioned Mr. Gatti.
He mentioned that it seems smaller in dimension. Though temple authorities haven’t but began to feed the crocodile, the departments involved, together with the Forest division, have been knowledgeable concerning the reptile’s sighting. A committee assembly can be convened to debate the “implications” of the crocodile’s presence within the waters, he mentioned.
Babiya, the late crocodile, had been an attraction for devotees from Kerala and Karnataka who thought of it ‘a divine entity.’ Pilgrims used to go to the temple to witness the day by day rituals when Babiya was identified to eat the choices for the deity. Babiya was buried on October 10, 2022 with a commemorative occasion held 41 days after its demise.
Sri Ananthapadmanabha Swamy Temple in Kasaragod.
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement
The surprising look of the crocodile has sparked discussions among the many temple committee members and devotees, reviving the ‘spiritual connection’ many felt with the late Babiya, including one other mysterious twist to the temple’s historical past.
Source: www.thehindu.com
