In some parts of the world, places of worship are sanctuaries for people. In some places this protection extends to other creatures, even bats. In India for example, bats often roost in temples. Despite their noisy comings and goings, and the messy droppings, they are usually tolerated.

It may not be surprising that bats are safe in some places of worship, particularly in India where many religious traditions protect the animals. This situation contradicts sharply with the attitudes found in churches in North America. There, in some cases any means of exterminating bats seems acceptable to both the administration and the congregation.

In India the protection may extend beyond artificial places of worship. Near the village of Piliangulam, a huge banyan tree is home to about 500 gigantic flying foxes. The villagers say that the bat colony has been there for at least 80 years. They believe that the bats are protected by a god. Under this tree is a shrine to a god named muni. By protecting the bats in the tree, the villagers maintain favor with muni. They also do not tolerate any others who would harm the bats.