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Scientific name
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Pteropus giganteus Brunnich
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Common name
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Common house gecko
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Hindi
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Chhipkali
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Tamil
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Palli
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Sanskrit
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Griha godha
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Distribution
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Human habitation structures in the tropics and sub- tropics.
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Religious Association
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The golden gecko is revered in the east and south as an animal whose mere touch assures a person of moksha (liberation) of the soul. As it is not possible to touch one, several temples keep a golden replica to be touched for good luck.
At the Varadaraja Temple in Kanchipuram, gold and silver geckos are fixed on to the ceiling to be touched by devotees in search of good luck.
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For more information, please refer " Sacred Animals Of India" by Nanditha Krishna, Penguin book India , 2010
ISBN 9780143066194
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