I used to travel a lot, and one of the things that’s fun about travelling is seeing the assorted creature features, both domestic and exotic. These pics are from India.
Cows are sacred in Hinduism. That means a few things: 1) no Big Macs at McDonalds, 2) there are random cows wandering around everywhere, and 3) you are expected to get out of the cow’s way, and if you don’t, don’t be surprised if the nearest grandma pushes you out of the way because you’re being a disrespectful doofus.
The picture below is a beach in Goa. During the day, humans get the beach. As it starts to approach sunset, the cows take over. Why not, right?
In Jaisalmer, which is out in the desert in Rajasthan, pigs roamed freely right along with the cows, along with a few dogs and chickens. I’m fairly sure that’s the only place I’ve ever seen free-ranging pigs. It makes trying to walk anywhere a bit more challenging, because there are so many critters underfoot.
This billy goat’s gruff creature feature is in Varanasi. Varanasi is an odd place. It’s on the banks of the Ganges river, which in Hinduism is very holy, but on the practical side, it’s really not clean. This is one of the various ghats leading from the city down to the river, which Mr. Gruff here is navigating just fine. I didn’t take any photos near the ghats where they cremate people, because that would just be inappropriate, but cows were wandering around there, and it was all just a whole lot going on. Actually, India in general feels like a whole lot going on for a westerner. Take the sensory stimulation you’re used to at home and multiply by 1000, and that’s India. It’s quite remarkable.
These pictures from my hotel in Varanasi are out of focus, but the one of the left shows munchkin monkey riding backpack style on mama’s back. They’re very agile little critters, and they’ll quite eagerly snatch food whenever there’s an opportunity.
Stay tuned next week for critters of Peru!
So many animals!! I love that they just roam around like that. 💜 💜
Yeah, it’s awesome!
Hahaha for realll
Thanks for sharing your travels and critter pics. India is somewhere I’d love to go, but it does feel a little intimidating as like you say, there’s a lot going on!
Yeah, it’s a bit overwhelming but also really amazing!
Its really amazing india has world 2nd largest population and we belive in jio aur jeene do (live and let live) so welcome india its amazing and memoriable for you
Those pigs looked huge. Were they docile? Feral hogs are a problem especially in the Southern US. We were warned at a birding site to leave before dusk due to hogs, which can be aggressive and fatal. We saw them from afar. They are scary huge.
Yikes! These ones seemed perfectly used to having people around and weren’t paying any attention to anyone.
I love critters, wherever they may be found! ♥♥
Yay, critters! Except for spiders; they need to stay far, far away1
lol
These photos are so amazing, it ends to be kind of a documentary about India 🙂 thanks for sharing! Stay safe and cheers from Portugal, PedroL
Have a great rest of your day in Portugal! Obrigada!
thanks Ashley 🙂 PedroL
Wow, sacred cows!! Did you pet them, or was that discouraged by the scary grandmothers who honored the cows? Did they moo? Did anyone ever milk them, or were they just sort of free-roaming?
My maternal grandparents had a cow pasture in their backyard! I always took it for granted, but now I wish I could go back and see the cows again!
I would imagine touching the cows would have been frowned upon, and probably would have earned a smack on the hand from any grandmas in the vicinity. I don’t recall much mooing, although I might be wrong on that. I’m sure someone, somewhere was milking the cows. Everyone drinks bucketloads of tea there, which involves lots of milk.
The cow pasture sounds very cool!
I adore monkeys. It’s so hard to imagine cows and pigs roaming freely though, but I do love that people have to shift out the way of the cows. That’s respect right there, and strangely incredibly sweet. Love your photos! xx
Thanks!!! Yeah, monkeys are fabulous.
Such a different world! Thank you for sharing your fantastic photos.
😊
Of all the places I’ve never had a desire to go India is probably at the top of the list! You have chosen to visit interesting places and I enjoy hearing about them and seeing your photos (all the while thinking – not for me LOL)
My biggest issue with India was that I caught a GI bug right at the beginning and it kicked my ass, rather literally, all trip long!
You are probably right, because India being the soul of the earth, i.e patterns in the chaos and its only rare for most bodies who can look within. Totally applies to a western gaze 🙂
I love the way animals are valued as sacred parts of life. Wonderful photos and adventures.
Thanks!
As someone who is visually impaired and uses voice-over on my phone to read posts I very much appreciate that you have photo descriptions Angie describe the stories behind the pictures as well XX
I’m glad! I’ve got a few visually impaired readers, so I try to remember to be thorough with adding text to iamges.
I’m surprised lizards didn’t make your list. As an Indian, that’s the only critter I can’t deal with. 🙈
Lizards don’t bother me when they’re outside, but when they’re inside, that’s a whole different issue.
top Notch post Ashley – this did make me giggle 🙂
1) no Big Macs at McDonalds
Hehehe reminds me of a time l put my foot in my mouth hahaha!!
😁
I am still laughing, l love your humour l really do 🙂
😉
Like the idea behind it don’t focus on the place focus on the animals
Beautiful creature
Loved reading this. I travelled around the world in 2008 including India, Peru, China etc. I may post some of my travel blogs up too…🙂
Cool!
Brings back memories of our time in India . Saw these cows walking along the streets .
Yeah, it’s quite something to see.
It is for the senses to decide what to look at, what to earn and completely what all to leave, in the case of Indian Subcontinent’s life. Mc’s for all the damn reasons anyways must be abhorred 😀 if ever one has to leave world’s forests intact and stopping these corps. to make them grasslands for their clone cattle.
Nara x
India is amazing in many ways..!!!! ❤️🇮🇳
Yes it is!
👍👍
Love your photos, especially the cow on the train platform lol, brilliant! Beautiful Goa beach photo, the way cows enjoy the beach just like people is just great. The sensory wonderland of India was definitely off any scale I’ve experienced so far, such a fascinating contrast.
Thanks! Yes, it’s an amazing place.
Spotting interesting critters is so fun an a trip. I’m so glad I’m not the only one keeping an eye out 🙂
🙂
I can’t believe that there’s places in this world where pigs, cows and monkey’s roam free! 😀 How awesome! This is something I’d love to see. I know the locals often find monkey’s a pest, but I’d still find it exciting 🙂
Great read!
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