In India, there are animals of all kinds. Some of them are dangerous, such as crocodiles, tigers, bears, or poisonous snakes. However, it is surprising to know that many of these living beings are worshipped as if they were deities.
In this article, we are going to explain what animals exist in India. We will talk about their fauna and, of course, we will shed some light on why some of them are worshipped.
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Typical animals of India: what are they?
India is a land that contains a wide variety of different animal species, depending on the area or region you are in, as its territory is very large and includes different types of natural habitats, such as jungles, mountains, rivers, and even deserts. Some of them are quite dangerous, so it is advisable to be very careful and not get too close to them if necessary.
Thus, in the mountainous areas of the Himalayas, you can find the Asian elephant, the black bear, antelopes, and even rhinoceroses, although these coexist with other species of animals less representative of the region, such as the pygmy pig, sheep, and even wild goats.
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In jungle and river areas, you can find crocodiles and water snakes, among other types of reptiles that are among the most dangerous animals on the planet for humans. In other areas, you can find large felines, such as tigers, cheetahs, and panthers, among which we can highlight the Bengal tiger, in the savannah area as well as in tropical forests.
In India, we can also find a great variety of birds, such as peacocks, some striking species of parrots, and even herons. Likewise, we can find some quite iconic animals, such as the lion macaque, in the jungle areas, the Indian wolf, and the Indian cobra, a snake that is quite dangerous due to its size, because it is quite poisonous, and because it is found in practically all regions of the country.
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Sacred animals in India: tips for tourists
It is well known that in India there are sacred animals that are considered mythological symbols of society and even reincarnations of Hindu gods, which is why they are highly respected and valued. Therefore, it is inadvisable to attack one of these animals or show contempt for them in front of the Hindu population.
We have already named some of them in the previous section and Hindu tradition prohibits killing them because it is believed that they could contain the energy of the soul of the ancestors since many of their gods have characteristics of these animals.
The elephant
The elephant is one of the sacred animals of India, as it is considered a reincarnation of the God Ganesha who, according to representations, has a human body and an elephant’s head. Therefore, elephants are considered symbols of good luck and fortune in the face of adversity.
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The monkey
In the Hindu religion, there is Hanuman, the monkey god, so it is believed that these animals in India are the incarnation of this god, which is why he is widely worshipped. In addition, he represents strength, knowledge, and loyalty.
The cow
The cow is perhaps the most famous sacred animal in India, as it is considered a gift from the gods, so eating beef is considered a sin and its slaughter is completely prohibited. The worship of these animals dates back more than 2,000 years, so over the years, it has become a symbol of abundance, fertility, and motherhood.
The Cobra
As we have mentioned before, the cobra is one of the most dangerous poisonous snakes in India. However, it is one of the sacred animals in India, as it is related to the deity Shiva, who rules the creation and destruction of the universe. This snake is a kind of guardian that Shiva always wore around his neck to defend himself from his enemies.
The tiger
The tiger is also one of the most dangerous animals in India, but it is considered a sacred animal because, according to Hindu mythology, it was the animal that the deity Maa Durga rode to fight her battles and because it is a national symbol of India. It is an animal that is considered to be a link between man, the earth, and the animal kingdom.
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Why is the cow a sacred animal in India?
As we have said before, cows are animals in India that are considered sacred for several reasons, as they are considered a symbol of fertility and abundance. That is to say, they symbolize Mother Earth and nature itself and have connections with deities, such as Kamadhenu, or as a representation of Lakshmi which is why in India there is legal protection for these animals that prohibits and punishes their mistreatment and even the consumption of their meat as food.
Furthermore, the cow is a typical Indian animal that has provided 5 essential products for life, since ancient times such as milk, butter, yogurt, urine, and manure. These products are the only ones that come from cows that India allows to be consumed, since, as we have said, eating their meat is totally prohibited. Thus, each family has a dairy cow that is considered as another member of the family.
For this reason, they are animals that enjoy total freedom, which is why it is common to see them grazing in the fields. Also, many people tend to take care of them with patience and dedication, which is why they are usually decorated and adorned with accessories and blankets. It is also common to paint their horns to distinguish them and beautify them. In addition, this entire process must be carried out in an attitude of reverence towards these typical Indian animals.
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