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In Chipiyana Buzurg, a temple honours a loyal dog’s legacy.
The local beliefs encourage anyone bitten by a dog to bathe in a nearby pond and offer prayers and prasad (sacred offerings) at the temple
A remarkable temple dedicated to dogs draws devotees from far and wide, driven by a tale of loyalty and divine intervention in the village of Chipiyana Buzurg of Greater Noida West, Uttar Pradesh.
The temple, devoted to a faithful dog, is renowned for its unique rituals. The local beliefs encourage anyone bitten by a dog to bathe in a nearby pond and offer prayers and prasad (sacred offerings) at the temple.
The origins of this unusual worship practice can be traced to a poignant tale involving a poor man named Lakha Banjara. As per the story, Lakha borrowed money from a local moneylender and was unable to repay it. He was, thus, forced to ‘mortgage’ his pet dog.
The dog’s loyalty was later proven when it thwarted a robbery at the moneylender’s home, saving valuable goods. The grateful moneylender freed the dog and tied a leaf around its neck as a sign of liberation, says the story.
However, Lakha mistakenly believed his loyal pet had betrayed him, leading to the dog’s tragic death. Upon discovering the truth that the dog had been freed due to its loyalty, Lakha was consumed with regret.
He buried the dog near a pond, and a temple was later erected in its honor, featuring a statue of the faithful animal.