6 unique temples in India where animals are worshipped with the Gods

India is the land of temples, and all things spiritual, holy, and revered. And the temples are filled with miracles! Some have an idol that turns boiling hot water to cold water, others have mountains that take young men in their illusion, and in some others ,Gods and animals are kept on an equal respect, and both are loved and worshipped in all their might.
Be it the scary snakes or the gentle dogs, in some Indian temples, animals are worshipped along with Gods, and here we mention 6 of them.

One of the most famous Indian temples to worship and respect animals alongside a Goddess is the Karni Mata temple in Rajasthan. It is famous not just for Karni mata, but also for the thousands of rats that roam freely inside the temple, and are respected by people, fed well, and even worshipped.
These rats, locally called ‘kabbas’, are considered sacred, and it is said that if a rat passes over your feet or if you spot a white rat, it will mean good luck.

Although snakes and serpents are feared by all, no matter which country they are in, Indians have a love-hate relationship with them. Snakes are hunted and killed so that they don’t kill a person with their venom, but are also offered milk in the form of ‘Sarp devta’ or Snake god.
And in Kerala, there is a particular temple in the forest that is dedicated to serpents. The Mannarasala temple has thousands of snake idols placed throughout the sacred grove.

Kamadhenu, the divine cow, is considered sacred across Hindu beliefs, and is said to be the cow in whose body every God resides. For Hindus all over the world, the Kamadhenu cow is the source of all wealth (material and spiritual) and prosperity. In various scriptures, she is said to fulfill all desires and is seen as a symbol of abundance and nurturing.
And in Karnataka, there is a temple dedicated to this divine cow where she is worshipped, offered garlands and prayers, and even given prasad.

A small temple in Karnataka where two dogs are worshipped in the form of idols is the Channapatna dog temple. It is said that the temple was built by the villagers of Agrahara Valagere Halli to honour the loyalty and sacred nature of two dogs, which they believe are not just protectors of homes but also messengers of divine spirits. Some legends also say that God himself came in the dreams of a man and advised him to construct a temple for the two missing dogs to ensure protection and security of the village.

A one of its kind temple in Chhattisgarh IS the Chandi mata temple where a distinct wild animal is worshipped.
In the Chandi mata temple, wild bears visit everyday and are a part of worship and respect. In the temple premises are large rocks on which bears are painted as an indication of what is to come next, and just around the temple are rock formations and enclosures where wild bears live, eat, and engage in fun activities.
The bears come so close to the temple that people click pictures of them near idols and gates.

In the Kannur district of Kerala, is the Parassinikkadavu Muthappan temple, dedicated to Lord Muthappan, a folk deity, and here, dogs are not just present, but also considered sacred.
In the temple, dogs are worshipped, considered sacred, fed, respected, and even named! From the priests to the deities of the temple, all of them are fans of these little animals and give them food, affection, and respect.