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| Last Updated:: 13/12/2012

Water Buffalo

 

 

Scientific name

Bubalus bubalis (Linn.)

Common name

Water buffalo

Hindi

Bhains

Tamil

Yerumai

Sanskrit

Ena / Mriga

Telugu

Mahisha

Distribution

Throughout India

Religious Association

The buffalo is most commonly associated with Yama , the Hindu God of death. He is usually depicted riding a fierce-looking black male water buffalo.

The buffalo is sacred to the Todas of the Nilgiris. The animal plays an important role in many of their rituals.

The festival of Vijayadashami is celebrated to mark the victory of Goddess Durga over a demon named Mahishasura ( mahisha – buffalo + asura – demon ).

 

For more  information, please refer " Sacred Animals Of India"  by Nanditha  Krishna, Penguin book India , 2010

ISBN 9780143066194