Anthills are held sacred in Hindu religion and they are part
of rituals in various parts of India. Hinduism believes that all animate and
inanimate are god therefore ants are worshipped daily morning in South and
Eastern parts of India indirectly. The rice kolam or rangoli made outside the
house is a source of food for the ants. Similar is the rice flour alpana made
in eastern parts of India.
Worship of Anthill in Hinduism
Anthill is sacred in rural India. Dismantling an anthill is
believed to bring bad luck. Food items are left near the anthill and it is
decorated with kumkum and other puja items.
The most popular story in Hindu religion associated with anthill
is that of the author of Ramayana, Valmiki.
Anthill is known as Valmikah in many regions in India. It is
believed that when Valmiki meditated for years together anthill grew around
him.
Another popular story is of Sukanya, a
princess, who out of curiosity pokes at two bright sparks in an anthill. Those were
the eyes of Chyavana Rishi, who was meditating for several years. Later Sukanya
marries old Chyavana Rishi. But through her chastity and humility Sukanya gets
back the eyesight and youth hood of her husband.
In south Indian state of Karnataka there is a belief is that
children will stop bedwetting if they put jaggery and rice powder near an
anthill.
Anthills are abodes of Snakes or Nagas. This is another
reason why anthills are worshipped by Hindus. Special pujas and offerings are
made near anthills during Nag Panchami in Shravan month and during Nagula
Chavithi in Kartik Month.
Anthills are also believed to be the abode of Shiva in Ratnagiri
District Maharashtra and are worshipped.
Worship of Ants in Hinduism
The black ant is known as Pillaiyaar Erumbu (Ganesha ant) in
Tamil. Killing or disturbing its home invites bad luck.
There is a story in Puranas in which Vishnu appears as a
little boy to quell the pride of Indra. Vishnu shows a group of ants to Indra,
the king of demigods. Vishnu then states that these ants had become Indras
through their good deeds. But they lost their title and had to take birth on
earth due to pride.