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| Last Updated:: 24/08/2023

Flying Fox

 

         

 

 

 

 

Scientific name

 

Pteropus giganteus Brunnich

 

Common name

 

Indian flying fox / Fruit bat

 

Hindi

 

Bada Chamkathad / Baddur/ Gadal

 

Sanskrit 

 

Vrikshabhaksha

 

Distribution

 

Throughout India

 

Religious association

 

The Indian flying fox, better known as the fruit bat, is the only species of bat that is regarded as sacred.

 

In Karnataka, fruit bats are protected at the Bavali Vana sacred grove at Koli village, Belthangadi Taluk; at the Lakshmi Temple at Puttur, Dakshin Kannada; and at Belur in Hassan district.

 

 

They are also considered sacred and protected in Puliangulam, Keelarajakularaman, Sri Vaikundam all in Tamil Nadu.

 

 

 

Source: “Sacred Animals Of India” by  Nanditha Krishna,  (Penguin Book India, 2010)