This vegetarian crocodile lived and died inside a temple. A year after his death, another one appeared in his place...

Often, we come across such instances that have no logical explanation, especially when it comes to miracles, or an event that science cannot explain. For decades now, a lone crocodile inhabited the lake at the Sri Ananthapadmanabha Swamy temple in Kasaragod. Crocodiles, a carnivorous species by nature are known to be dangerous to humans, when provoked. However, 'Babiya' as it was lovingly called, was not only vegetarian, but extremely quiet and calm as an animal, never disturbing any devotee of the temple. It ate only prasad offerings of jaggery and rice, offered twice a day, and never touched any fish in the pond. Babiya eventually died of old age in October 2022.


Major attraction
Babiya was a major attraction for devotees, who considered it a divine entity and a protector of the temple. Folklore suggests that a British soldier shot a crocodile in the temple pond in 1945, and within days, Babiya appeared, leading to its reverence as a divine successor. Since then, a new crocodile has appeared soon after its predecessor has passed away. Babiya died when he was 75 years of age. It was not keeping well for the past few days, and was taken to veterinary surgeons from Mangaluru's Pilikula Biological Park. Babiya was buried with full temple rituals, with many esteemed guests, including politicians attending his last rites. Its body was placed in a mobile freezer for devotees to pay their last respects.

Babiya had unrestricted access to all areas of the temple, often residing in the lake surrounding it or basking on the temple stairs. During the hot months, Babiya would relocate to Vana Shastara, a laterite pond designated for cattle, located about 60 meters away within the temple grounds.

New one appears
A year after his death, a new crocodile appeared in the lake, in 2023. "When one crocodile dies another one inevitably appears in the lake and this continues to be an unexplained phenomenon," the temple said on its website. The new one was also named 'Babiya', and was spotted in a cave along the lake by some devotees. The website further said, "It is a young crocodile. We have informed the tantri (head priest) of the temple and he will decide what needs to be done next. "