A dog was sleeping in front of an altar in an alley

In the world of Hinduism, altars and shrines are remarkably abundant. While Japan, with its strong Buddhist presence, has many temples and shrines, polytheistic traditions often require an even greater number of sacred spaces—one for each deity. As a result, Mumbai's streets are dotted with altars and shrines of all sizes, blending seamlessly into the urban landscape.

As I wandered through a narrow alley in Mumbai, I suddenly came across one of these altars. A vividly painted statue stood enshrined, surrounded by offerings carefully placed in devotion. Just in front of it, a dog lay sprawled out on the ground, completely at ease. The stone floor, likely cool to the touch, must have provided a welcome relief from the city's heat.

There was something distinctly Indian about this scene—this quiet coexistence between the sacred and the ordinary. In a place where faith permeates daily life, even a holy site is not off-limits to a resting stray. Rather than being shooed away, the dog was simply allowed to be, a small yet telling reflection of India's deep-rooted sense of tolerance.

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