Scientific name

Canis aureus Linn

Common name

Golden jackal

Hindi

Gidhar

Sanskrit 

Srigalah

Distribution

Throughout India

Religious association

The prevailing myths about the jackal have led to the belief that the animal has superior powers. Therefore the sight of a jackal is considered to be a good omen.

Jambuka, the great sage of yore, was so-named because he would never sit nor sleep, traits believed to belong to the jackal. He became a follower of the Buddha and joined the sangha along with his disciples.