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Nepal: A young boy next to the holy rat statue at the Ashok Binayak Ganesh Shrine, Durbar Square, Kathmandu

According to Hindu mythology, all animals were created by the god Shiva who simply assumed their particular asana or stances. Due to their divine origin, most animals are considered sacred, though in varying degrees. Most sacred are cows, which are considered the symbol of an all-sustaining mother goddess. Snakes are also sacred, especially the mighty cobra, which is closely associated with Shiva. Even rats are sacred—up to a point—as a rat is the faithful 'vehicle' (<i>vahana</i>) of the elephant-headed god Ganesh.

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Title: Nepal: A young boy next to the holy rat statue at the Ashok Binayak Ganesh Shrine, Durbar Square, Kathmandu

Caption: According to Hindu mythology, all animals were created by the god Shiva who simply assumed their particular asana or stances. Due to their divine origin, most animals are considered sacred, though in varying degrees. Most sacred are cows, which are considered the symbol of an all-sustaining mother goddess. Snakes are also sacred, especially the mighty cobra, which is closely associated with Shiva. Even rats are sacred—up to a point—as a rat is the faithful 'vehicle' (vahana) of the elephant-headed god Ganesh.

Credit: Album / Pictures From History/Universal Images Group

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Image size: 4600 × 3401 px | 44.8 MB

Print size: 38.9 × 28.8 cm | 1811.0 × 1339.0 in (300 dpi)

Keywords: ASHOK BINAYAK • ASIA IMAGES • ASIA PICTURES • ASIA • ASIAN IMAGE • ASIAN IMAGES • ASIAN PICTURES • ASIAN • CULT, HINDUISM • DURBAR SQUARE • DURBAR • GANESA • GANESH • GOD • GODS • HINDU • HINDUISM • HINDUS • HISTORIA UNIVERSAL • HISTORIA • HISTORICAL IMAGES • HISTORICAL PICTURES • HISTORICAL • HISTORY IMAGES • HISTORY PICTURES • HISTORY • HISTORY. • KATHMANDU VALLEY • KATHMANDU • MOUSE (ANIMAL) • MOUSE • NEPAL • NEPALESE • RAT • RELIGION • SACRED PLACE • SANCTUARY • SHIVA • SHREW • SHREWMOUSE • SHRINE • TEMPERA • TEMPLE • TEMPLES