Babiya, vegetarian crocodile of Sri Ananthapura temple lake, passes away

Thiruvananthapuram: A vegetarian crocodile in the Anantha Padmanabha Swamy temple tank in Thiruvananthapuram died. Fondly called Babiya by devotees, this crocodile has been in this tank for over 70 years.

It lived only by eating prasad prepared in the temple. Officials said that this crocodile used to roam freely in the vicinity of the temple and never harmed anyone. Babia, which had been missing since Saturday, was finally seen floating in the tank around half past eleven on Sunday night.

“Babiya' was given food after the pujas in the morning and evening. The devotees also made offerings to it. Lots of devotees and tourists came to see Babiya,” temple representatives said. According to officials, it was undergoing treatment for age-related ailments and was found dead on Sunday night. Many devotees of the temple came to offer homage. It was cremated on the temple premises. 

Hearing about the news, Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shobha Karandlaje said, “Babiya, the god’s own crocodile of Sri Anantapura Lake temple has reached Vishnu Padam. The divine crocodile lived in the temple’s lake for over 70 years by eating the rice and jaggery prasadam of Sri Ananthapadmanabha Swamy and guarded the temple. May she attain Sadgati, Om Shanti!”