Patna: A rare white owl drew crowds to a bus stand in Bihar on Saturday after it was spotted perched on a banyan tree during Holi celebrations, prompting calls for forest officials to ensure the bird’s safety.
Residents of Bagaha, a town near the Indo-Nepal border, said the owl appeared on the campus of the sub-divisional hospital, close to the main bus stand, as the city marked the festival of colours. Within hours, hundreds of people had gathered to catch a glimpse of the bird, many describing the sighting as auspicious.
In Hindu belief, the owl is regarded as the vahana, or vehicle, of the goddess Lakshmi. Its appearance during a major festival such as Holi led some locals to interpret the sighting as a sign of prosperity and good fortune. Elderly residents folded their hands in reverence, while younger onlookers filmed the scene on their phones.
Wildlife enthusiasts identified the bird as a barn owl, a species known for its distinctive heart-shaped face and pale plumage. Barn owls are widespread across the Indian subcontinent and are often referred to in rural Bihar as “haveli owls”. They are nocturnal hunters that feed primarily on rodents, playing a role in controlling pests in agricultural areas.
Some residents speculated that the owl may have strayed from the nearby Valmiki Tiger Reserve, a protected forest area known for its biodiversity and located a short distance from Bagaha. The reserve is home to a range of species, including tigers, leopards and numerous bird varieties.
As the crowd at the bus stand swelled, concerns grew about the owl’s welfare. Local citizens said they alerted the forest department and district administration, fearing that noise and human proximity could distress the bird. Several residents called for officials to safely capture the owl, if necessary, and release it back into its natural habitat.
