What Is The Sacred Animal Of India?

Sacred Animals in Hinduism

Some religions worship detail animals; in some cases, these sacred animals go symbols of a particular quality or tradition valued by the faith in question. In many mythologies, gods accept associated animals that act as their companions or messengers, or even accept the form of animals themselves.

Hinduism, the well-nigh widespread religion in India and Nepal, holds respect for animals as a basic principle, and many practitioners are vegetarian; in some varieties of Hinduism, yet, fauna cede is accustomed for its symbolic meaning. This respect is also held past other religions of India like Jainism or Buddhism.

Some animals, however, concord a more sacred status than others, as they accept a closer connection to the gods or item virtues. Contemporary Hindus, both in India and effectually the world, continue adhering to these ideas; for instance, cows can be seen roaming the streets.

There are dozens of sacred animals in Hinduism, merely the best-known ones are elephants, monkeys, cows, tigers and cobras. Keep reading this AnimalWised article if you'd like to learn nigh the history backside each of these symbols.

Ganesha, the sacred elephant

The elephant is one of the almost famous animals of Asia. It is popular because of its enormous size and amazing intelligence, but also because of its religious significance in Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism. This is because of Ganesha, a god with a human body and the caput of an elephant.

Fable has it that the god Shiva, when he left home to become to battle, left his wife Parvati pregnant with his son. Years afterwards, Shiva returned home to find a human being guarding the room where Parvati bathed. Without recognizing him as his son, the two gods entered into a battle which ended with Ganesha's beheading. A heartbroken Parvati explained to her hubby that the human being was his son, and so Shiva, in a desperate endeavour to revive him, went off in search of a head for Ganesha. The first brute he came across was an elephant.

From that moment, Ganesha became the god that overcomes obstacles and adversity, and is considered a symbol of good luck and fortune.

Sacred Animals in Hinduism - Ganesha, the sacred elephant

Hanuman, the monkey god

Just like monkeys dance freely throughout Bharat, so does Hanuman, their mythological version. It is believed that these animals are the concrete grade of this god.

Hanuman is non only worshiped in Bharat, but as well in other countries every bit far as Thailand. He represents strength, knowledge and, above all, loyalty, because he is the eternal ally of both gods and men. It is said that he has a supernatural and unlimited strength, and that he once pursued the sun having mistaken it for fruit.

Sacred Animals in Hinduism - Hanuman, the monkey god

Cows, the sacred creature

The cow is the near famous of all the sacred animals of Hinduism considering it is considered a gift from the gods. For this reason, Hindus consider it a sin to eat beef. Killing a cow is morally and strongly condemned, which is why you can come across cows walking around or resting quietly in the streets of India.

The veneration of this animate being goes back for thousands of years, and information technology is related to its significance of affluence, fertility and maternity. The cow accompanies Krishna equally the divine shepherd, equally this god was a cow herder equally a child; therefore, cows deserve the utmost respect in Hinduism. In Nepal, they're some of the animals honored during the Tihar festival.

Sacred Animals in Hinduism - Cows, the sacred animal

Shiva'southward cobra

The Indian or spectacled cobra (Naja naja) is a poisonous serpent, just it'southward considered sacred in Hinduism because it is closely related to the god Shiva. Shiva is one of the best-known gods of the Hindu pantheon, because he's the lord of the two superior and contradictory forces: Creation and devastation.

Hindu mythology says that Shiva, every bit master of all living creatures, wears an Indian cobra called Vasuki effectually his neck. Vasuki is not merely any cobra, but the rex of the divine serpents called naga.

These serpents protect water sources and control rain, and thus life, and they are very important in Hinduism and Buddhism. Because snakes renew their skin, in Hinduism they besides correspond death and rebirth. Another important naga is Shesha, the snake that carries the universe on its body and forms Vishnu's bed.

Sacred Animals in Hinduism - Shiva's cobra

The mighty Bengal tiger

The Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris) is an enigmatic and powerful animal, and it sparks fascination in anyone that comes beyond one. The Bengal tiger has always been very popular and feared in Republic of india, and information technology is the national animal of the country. The royal Bengal tiger is also the national beast of Bangladesh.

Hinduism has a tradition called Shaktism that focuses on a supreme goddess, and energy and reality are considered feminine forces. 1 of these manifestations is Durga, who creates the energy of life while existence invincible in battle. When she goes to war, Durga rides either a panthera leo or a tiger; it represents victory over evil forces. A scene like this can exist seen in the picture below.