Bats, in recent times, have been one of the few most hated and disliked of beings- especially in India and the sub-continent.

It was initially made popular that the coronavirus originated from bats and that these mammals are solely responsible for the spread of the disease across the world.

However, later it turned it to be just a myth as the scientists are still trying to determine the source of origin of coronavirus.

Even at a time when these mammals were the most cursed ones in the country, a small village in Odisha's Jaipur district stands out for their hospitality and love for the winged friends.

Situated some 150 kilometres of Odisha's capital Bhubaneswar is Kabatabandha- a village which is like a resort to these winged mammals.

Hundreds and thousands of bats are found clinging on the riverside trees near a Shiv temple with no human posing a threat to their existence.

"No one from the village ever believed a word when these mammals were said to be the carriers of coronavirus," reported India Today quoting a villager.

"Thousands of bats cling on to the branches of two Banyan and Ashoka trees here and we do not disturb them," the villager added.

"We firmly believe that these mammals bring good luck and also that they are the saviours of our village," the villager added.

There is a popular belief among the villagers that bats alert them from upcoming natural disasters and calamities.

Recalling such a situation, a villager said, "The bats flew away during the 1995 cyclone. This alerted us about the forthcoming danger and we could prepare for our safety in advance."

The human-bats relationship of this village is over 70 years old and the villagers say it cannot be snapped or broken easily.

For the villagers, these bats are a part of their family and they will keep protecting the at any cost.

Reportedly, the villagers have formed a protection committee to protect the bats and have turned Kabatabandha has become more like a mini bat sanctuary.