11 SACRED SPECIES WORSHIPPED IN INDIA

Bonjour! Hallo! Hello! Hola! Namaste! and a very happy world translation day. These are some of the standard words to wish someone worldwide, but we Indians have few more words to say as we speak different languages. Every Indian state has its own official language and every district has its own slang or dialects. Around 121 languages are spoken in India. I can speak 5 languages fluently which includes Malayalam, Kannada, Hindi, Tamil and English. I can understand Telugu as well. As India is diverse in its languages, it is diverse in its religious beliefs too. 

There are 8 major religions in India and majority of the Indians follow Hinduism worshipping 33 types of God. Worshipping certain plants and animals is well noticed in Hinduism. Each God is represented by an animal. So in today's article I will share some of the animals and plants which are meant to be sacred and worshipped in India. 

Note: This article is not created in terms of sharing any religious beliefs or not against any religions. This article is purely based on the conservation of wildlife. 

 1. Elephant/ Gajaraja: Indian elephant (Elephas maximus indicus) is worshipped as a form of Lord Ganesha (elephant headed God in Hindu mythology) which symbolises wisdom and emotion. Elephants are kept in temples and holy places and are worshipped. They are also used for processions and regional festivals. In Mysore Dasara elephants are the centre of attraction. Read my previous article "Tuskers on Training" for more information. https://whatsaroudus.blogspot.com/2018/09/tuskers-on-training-for-big-day.html?m=0 

Dasara Elephant

2. Cow/ Nandi/ Basava: Cow (Bo's taurus) is widely worshipped in India. It is meant to be very holy as there are many benefits out of them.  Lord Krishna is often seen with cows. Bull (Nandi) is the vehicle of Lord Shiva. 

Cow (Golden calf) worshipping is even noticed in Israellites, when Moses went up to Mount Sinai to receive ten commandments. 

In Karnataka during the harvest festival (Shankranti) cattle are decorated and worshipped. 

Cow

3. Cobra/ Nagaraja: Both Spectacled cobra (Naja Naja) and King cobras (Naja Hannah) are meant to be sacred in Hinduism. Cobra is often seen around Lord Shiva's neck; which indicates that the cobra is the ornament of Lord Shiva. Manasa is the snake Goddess in Hindu mythology, she is worshipped for the prevention and cure of snake bites and other infectious diseases. The snake symbolises the birth and regeneration. 

Cobra model in Snake Park, Chennai

4. Tiger/ Waghoba: Tiger (Panthera tigris) is the vehicle of Goddess Chamundeshwari or Durga and Ayyappan. Tigers are also worshipped by some of the tribes in Goa and Maharashtra. Tiger symbolises the concept of  'fearless'. Tiger is the national animal of India. 

5. Peacock/ Mayura: Peacock (Pavo cristatus) is one of the sacred birds in India and it is also our national bird. Peacock is the vehicle of Kartikeya. 

Indian peacock

6. Monkey/ Vanara: Common monkey (Maccaca radiata) is a depicts the Lord Hanuman/ Vanara. People respect this animal  in the name of the Lord Hanuman. I have seen people joining their hands and showing the respect whenever they see monkey near them.  

7. Wild boar/ Varaha: People see wild boar as a form of Lord Vishnu.  

8. Neem: Azadirachta indica is a sacred plant in which the Sun God Surya is said to have refuged. Neem is a medicinal plant with great antiseptic benefits used in various cosmetics and drugs.  

Neem tree

9. Peepul tree: Ficus religiosa as the scientific name suggests it is one of the worshipped plant in India. It is believed that the Lord Vishnu is residing in the tree. 

 
Peepul tree

10. Tulsi/ Vrinda: Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) is a holy basil used as a medicinal plant and in some culinary purposes as well. Tulsi is worshipped by Hindus as they believe it is the form of Goddess Lakshmi. Tulsi vivah is another tradition where a marital union of Lord Vishnu and tulsi (Lakshmi) is done. 

Ocimum sanctum

11. Cannon ball tree: Nagalinga pushpa (cannon ball tree) Couroupita guianensis, tree produces unusual big flowers and its ovaries resemble ‘Shivalinga’ (God in Hindu mythology); the localites collect these flowers and offer them to God while worshipping.

Couroupita guianensis

These were some of the sacred species of India, there are many other species known for their deity. These species have left a great impact on human feelings and people look after them with great care.

I am not sharing this in terms of religious aspects but as the matter of protecting the wildlife. 

The concept of sacred species knowingly or unknowingly is helping us in conserving wildlife. In India cow slaughtering is banned except in a few states like Kerala, North East India, West Bengal etc. People do not dare to kill cows as are considered as 'mother'.  Cow milk, cow urine and cow dung is used in various ways. Cow urine is used as a holy water by Hindus and even drink it. Likewise many species are protected in the name of their deity in several forest regions in India by tribal communities. Human interference is totally nil in such places. These places are called sacred groves. 

If you know some of the sacred species or sacred grooves then share it on the comment box and do not forget to follow What's around us. See you soon with another exciting article. Bye bye..