Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Tribal religions have so merged with Hinduism and other mainstream religions that very few are now
clearly identifiable. Some basic tenets of Hinduism are believed to have originated in tribal culture.
Naturally Sacred
Animals, particularly snakes and cows, have long been worshipped on the subcontinent.
For Hindus, the cow represents fertility and nurturing, while snakes (especially cobras)
are associated with fertility and welfare. Naga stones (snake stones) serve the dual pur-
pose of protecting humans from snakes and appeasing snake gods.
Plants can also have sacred associations, such as the banyan tree, which symbolises the
Trimurti, while mango trees are symbolic of love - Shiva is believed to have married Par-
vati under one. Meanwhile, the lotus flower is said to have emerged from the primeval
waters and is connected to the mythical centre of the earth through its stem. Often found
in the most polluted of waters, the lotus has the remarkable ability to blossom above
murky depths. The centre of the lotus corresponds to the centre of the universe, the navel
of the earth: all is held together by the stem and the eternal waters. The fragile yet resolute
lotus is an embodiment of beauty and strength and a reminder to Hindus of how their own
lives should be. So revered has the lotus become that today it's India's national flower.
