The following animals are considered sacred and worshipped by the Hindus.

1. The cow:—is regarded as the holiest of animals. She is worshipped on the fourth day of the dark half of Shravan which is known as Bol Choth;1 and a vow is observed by women in her honour on the fifteenth day of Bhadarva. It is known as Gautrad Vrat. On this day women do not eat wheat, milk, clarified butter and the whey of a cow.2

The sanctity which attaches to the cow is due to the belief that in her body reside thirty three crores of gods.3

2. The horse:—The horse is believed by some people to be the last incarnation of God. It is also believed to represent Vachhado, the deity who cures hydrophobia.4

Some people believe the horse to be a celestial animal. It is said that in ancient times it had wings, traces of which are believed to be still visible in its knees.

Of the fourteen jewels obtained by the gods and demons by churning the ocean, one was a horse with seven mouths. Hence the horse is considered divine.5

The horse is worshipped on the Dasara day.6

3. The elephant:—The elephant is considered divine because it is the vehicle of Indra, the lord of gods, and because its head was fixed on the trunk of Ganpati, the son of Parvati and Shiva. It is believed by some people that vows to offer cocoanuts to an elephant are efficacious in curing fever.7

At the time of celebrating a coronation ceremony an elephant is worshipped. There is a tradition that in ancient times the coronation waters were poured over the king by a she-elephant.8

4. The lion:—The lion is considered sacred because it is believed to be the lord of the beasts of the forest and the vehicle of goddesses.5

5. The tiger:—The tiger is worshipped with Vagheshvari Mata as it is believed to be her vehicle.

6. The she-buffalo:—Some sanctity attaches to the she-buffalo, as it is believed that a she-buffalo was given in dowry to a Nag kanya (snake girl) by her father.9

To atone for a great sin a she-buffalo decked with a black wreath, iron, red lead and marks made with the flour of adad is presented to a Brahman.10

7. The donkey:—Is believed to be the vehicle of the goddess of small-pox.11

It is also believed that the god Brahma had formerly five mouths, one of which was like that of a donkey.12

8. The dog:—The dog is believed to have divine vision and to be able to see the messengers of the god of death. Some believe that in its next life a dog becomes a man.13

The dog is also believed to be the vehicle of Kal Bhairav and is worshipped along with his image.14

Some people offer bread to dogs in the belief that they will bear witness to their merits before God15.

9. The goat:—is worshipped by the Bharvads when they worship the goddess Machhu.16

10. The cat:—is worshipped in the belief that by so doing a man can win over his opponents.17

11. The bear:—is considered by some people to be a holy animal because the god Krishna married Jambuvanti, the daughter of Jambuvant, the heroic bear who assisted Rama.18

12. Fish:—are considered sacred because they are supposed to carry the food (pindas) to the manes offered (in water) at the shraddha ceremony.19

13. Alligators:—are worshipped in a pond at Magar Pir, near Karachi.20

14. The crows:—are worshipped because they are supposed to represent rishis.21

Some people believe that crows were formerly rishis. They are supposed to have divine vision, and food offered to them is believed to reach deceased ancestors.

A loaf is cut into three parts. One of them is designated kal (ordinary), the second dukal (famine), and the third sukal (plenty). Next they are offered to a crow. If the crow takes away the kal, it is believed that the crops in the following year will be normal; if it takes away the dukal a famine is apprehended in the following year, and if the sukal, it is believed that the crops will be plentiful.22

15. The goose:—is supposed to be the vehicle of the goddess Sarasvati. It is believed that its worship ensures success in any enterprise. If a goose is seen in a dream, it is considered to be a very good omen.23

A goose is believed to be endowed with the power of separating milk from water. It is supposed to feed on rubies. It is found in lake Man in the Himalayas.24

16. The cock:—is considered holy as it is believed to be the vehicle of the goddess Bahucharaji.25

17. The hen:—is worshipped on the last Sunday of the month of Jeth.26

18. The parrot:—is worshipped by singers desiring to improve their voice. It is also worshipped by dull persons desirous of improving their intellect.27