Temple plans meet in memory of croc ‘Babiya’

Mangaluru: In a unique gesture to honour Babiya, the revered crocodile at the Ananthapura Sri Ananthapadmanabha Swamy Temple near Kumble in Kasaragod which pasased away recently, the temple will hold a commemorative meet.
Devotees of Ananthapura Temple consider Babiya, who lived in the temple lake for nearly 80 years, as a reincarnation god and protector of the temple. Devotees and the temple committee will hold a commemorative programme at the temple premises on November 19, 41 days after Babiya’s death. The crocodile was living in the temple’s lake and eating the ‘nivedya’ offered to the deity. Devotees, who visit the temple, were also waiting for the crocodile to come out when the priest offered nivedya after the temple rituals everyday. People from various parts of Kerala and Karnataka were visiting the temple to see Babiya. A large crowd, including people’s representatives and officials, had gathered when the crocodile died on October 9.
Chairman of the temple’s board of Trustees advocate Udaya Kumar R Gatti said the temple committee and the Jeernoddhara Samiti have decided to hold a special commemorative meeting for Babiya. “A stage programme to be held as part of the commemorative meeting will be chaired by temple’s chief priest Brahmashri Delampady Ganesha Thantri. It will be attended by guests and devotees. A special ‘anna daana’ (serving meals) will also be offered to devotees who participate in the event,” he said.
On plans of constructing a memorial for the crocodile at the temple premises, Gatti said the proposal will be considered after eight months of Babiya’s death. “Devotees have been demanding that a memorial structure should be built for Babiya. The temple priest has suggested that the proposal can be discussed only after eight months,” he said.