"Could we see when and where we are to meet again, we would be more tender when we bid our friends goodbye": Divine vegetarian Crocodile Babiya who guarded Sri Anantapuram Lake Temple in Kasaragod of Kerala for the last 70+ years passed away

Babiya, the divine crocodile who lived in Kerala’s Ananthpuram Ananthapamanabhaswamy Temple in Kerala’s Kasargod, has died. Over 75 years old, the crocodile passed away last night.

Legend says that in 1945, a British officer shot at a crocodile in the temple and within days Babiya appeared in the temple pond. She was completely vegetarian. She was offered food after morning and afternoon prayers. It is believed that Ananthapadmanabhaswamy is the origin of the Sripadmanabhaswamy temple in Thiruvananthapuram.

The offering to Babiya, the divine crocodile, was the main offering at this temple. After devotees would give their offerings to the priest, the priest would go towards the lake and give the offering. Babiya would obediently come out of the pond and eat it. Babiya never harmed anyone in the pond. Devotees believed Babiya was guarding the Lord Ananthapadmanabha.

Soon after the news of its demise spread, tributes started pouring for Babiya, the beloved crocodile.

Devotees believed that Babiya used to guard Lord Anantapadmanabha. It used to live in the pond throughout the year. The food that is offered to the Lord is its daily meal. It used to crawl on the same path on which the devotees used to walk from one pond to another pond.

The temple got international popularity because of Babiya, which never harmed anyone. A crocodile was there in the temple pond even before India got independence. However, the British, who set up their military camp in the area shot and killed it. Later, a baby crocodile appeared in the pond and the temple priests named it Babiya.

A mild and non-harming Babiya was the darling of the devotees. It was suffering from age-related illness of late. It was being treated also. However, on Sunday night it was found floating on the water.

As per wildlife experts, Babiya was a mugger crocodile. Temple offerings were like a food supplement to her. In the wild, crocodiles prey on fish, rodents, and reptiles and at times a bigger catch.

The dead Babiya is kept in front of the temple for devotees to have a last glimpse. Later on, it will be buried after holding final rites.

Devotees were saddened by Babiya’s passing.

References:

opindia.com