World's only vegetarian crocodile dies: People offer prasad of rice and jaggery with their own hands, lived in Kerala temple for 70 years
The world’s only vegetarian crocodile died in Kerala. For 70 years this crocodile was living in the pond of Srianantapadmanabhaswamy temple in Kasargod district. He used to stay in the Anantapura lake and take care of the temple. The priests performed the final pilgrimage to Magarmachha as per Hindu rituals and was buried near the temple premises.
The crocodile was fondly called Babia. He used to eat the prasad of rice and gourd offered in the temple. Babia had been missing since Saturday. His body was found floating in the lake around 11:30 pm on Sunday night. Then the temple administration informed the animal husbandry department and the police.
People flocked to see the crocodile
Leaders and people gathered for the final darshan of the crocodile. When the number started to increase, the bodies were removed from the lake and kept in an open place.
The Union Minister of State arrived to pay his last respects
Union Minister of State Shobha Karandlaje also arrived to see Babia. Paying tribute, he said that the crocodile lived in the temple for 70 years. God bless him. BJP State President K. Surendra said that lakhs of devotees had darshan of the crocodile. A heartfelt tribute to Babia
Crocodiles loved rice and jaggery
According to the priests, the crocodile was a vegetarian and did not eat fish or other creatures in the lake. Babiya lived in a cave. Twice a day he used to come out of the cave to visit the temple and after walking around for a while he went inside.
Magar used to eat only the salary offered in the temple. He loved rice and jaggery. Some people used to come to see Babaya in the temple apart from the darshan of the Lord and spread rice to him with their hands. People claim that the crocodile has never attacked or harmed anyone till date.
The Mysterious History of the Crocodile
It is believed that a Mahatma was performing penance in this temple years ago. Then Lord Krishna took the form of a child and started harassing the Mahatma. Angered by this, Mahatma pushed Krishna into the lake. When he realized his mistake, he started looking for God, but found none in the water.
After this incident, a cave appeared nearby. People believe that God disappeared from this cave. After a few days crocodiles started coming and going from here
Elderly people living around the temple say that this was the third crocodile living in the pond, but there was only one crocodile showing. After his old age and death, a new crocodile would suddenly appear.
