By: Natasha Archary
A community in Kerala, India is mourning the death of a 75-year old ‘vegetarian’ crocodile.
Believed to be a “divine” spirit, the locals in Ananthapura, Kerala paid tribute to the spiritual crocodile that was reportedly a vegetarian.
Babiya, as the croc was affectionately known lived on the Sri Ananthapadmanabha temple grounds for over seven decades.
Locals say the vegetarian crocodile used to only eat temple offerings which was primarily boiled rice, veggies and fruits.
The famous crocodile became a temple attraction for worshippers and had never attacked any human over the years.
Babiya died on Sunday, 09 October of old-age and was laid to rest in a traditional Indian ceremony.
The crocodile was then cremated as is customary in India.
An inconsolable priest at the temple said over the past two years during Covid-19, Babiya used to sleep inside the temple because there were no visitors entering the temple grounds.
Once the pandemic restrictions were lifted, the spiritual reptile returned to its home, near the temple’s pond.
The priest used to hand feed the crocodile rice twice a day by rolling balls of rice into its mouth. He would often “hug” the croc by placing his head against Babiya’s mouth making their unique relationship which was strengthened over the years.
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