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Across India, architecture has long served as a storyteller. From ancient temples and tombs to crumbling forts, these structures are not just relics of the past, they are living spaces of gathering, celebration, ritual, and quiet reflection. Less visibly, they are also sanctuaries for nature. For example, the inner courtyard of Krishnapuram Temple where the space is informally shared by two very different occupants. On one side, temple staff prepare offerings for the deity. On the other, a quiet corridor leads to a dim room where black-bearded tomb bats roost, their sudden squeaks often startling passersby. Estimated to be 200 to 300 years old, temples like Krishnapuram have long served as places of quiet coexistence between people and bats.
Cultural Perceptions of Bats in India
Throughout history, animals have often been culturally categorised as either "good" or "evil," shaping how humans relate to them, and whether they’re seen as worthy of protection. Bats are no strangers to this duality. In much of the Western world, they are linked with devils, witchcraft, and fear—a perception dating back to the fourteenth century and one that persists in popular media today. But in India, the narrative is more nuanced.
In Madurai, worshippers of the god Muni consider the Indian flying fox sacred. In Pudukkottai, bats roosting in sacred groves are seen as protectors under the goddess Kali’s watch. A similar belief exists in Murappanadu, where three ancient trees shelter hundreds of bats. Locals say a fierce goddess guards the grove—legend has it that a hunter once tried to shoot the bats, only for the bullet to reverse and injure him. Since then, many villagers avoid the site, fearing divine retribution.
Elsewhere, bats are linked with prosperity and prophecy. In Bihar, followers of Lakshmi regard bats as symbols of wealth. In Assam, an entire temple is dedicated to bats, with festivals held since 2001. In Kundapura, Karnataka, bats are believed to possess divine foresight. Villagers watch their behaviour near a local temple to predict rising water levels in the Kubja River—early warnings that help prepare for floods. Even classical Tamil Sangam poetry uses bats as metaphors for romantic and parental love. These beliefs reveal how deeply bats are woven into the spiritual and cultural fabric of many communities.
Nature’s Silent Farmers
Beyond cultural symbolism, bats play a vital ecological role, especially in pollination and seed dispersal. Their relationship with plants like bananas and mangoes is a story of co-evolution. Bananas flower at night, relying on bats for pollination. In mango orchards, fruit bats contribute to higher yields by enhancing cross-pollination, and seeds processed by bats often show improved germination. In the Western Ghats, where jackfruit trees are abundant in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, bats feed on pests like shoot borers and bark-eating caterpillars that threaten these trees. Hence, in parts of rural Tamil Nadu, farmers offer Mukkani, a traditional trio of jackfruit, mango, and guava, during New Year celebrations as a gesture of gratitude, recognising the vital role bats play in sustaining the abundance of these fruits.
As the Walls Change, Where Will They Go?
Despite centuries of coexistence, bats today face an uncertain future. As temples undergo increasing renovation and reconstruction, many bat colonies are being pushed out.
At Thiruvadurai Madam Temple, a staff member recalls a time when large numbers of Indian flying foxes lived within the premises. But as renovation work has progressed, their numbers have steadily declined. A study conducted between 2012 and 2017 across the districts of Tenkasi, Tirunelveli, and Thoothukudi in Tamil Nadu surveyed 58 temples, 47 of which were found to host bats, with population estimates ranging from 2,900 to over 5,100 individuals. However, ongoing construction work has caused major disturbances. While some bats return after temporary displacement, many abandon the sites altogether.
The story of bats and temples is a quiet one—told not through grand moments, but through everyday cohabitation, small beliefs, and shared rhythms. These animals have long lived alongside us, finding safety in our sacred spaces and becoming part of our festivals, folklore, and farming. As change comes to these old structures, it’s worth remembering that conservation can begin in the most familiar places.
