- Title: INDIA: Devotees break coconuts on their heads to appease their Hindu God
- Date: 16th June 2009
- Summary: CHENNAI, TAMIL NADU, INDIA (JUNE 14, 2009) (ANI) EXTERIOR OF A TEMPLE MEN APPLYING TURMERIC MIXED ON A DEITY OUTSIDE THE TEMPLE TWO MEN APPLYING TURMERIC SEVERAL WOMEN SITTING OUTSIDE THE TEMPLE A PRIEST BREAKING A COCONUT ON THE GROUND IN FRONT OF THE DEITY MORE MEN BREAKING COCONUTS ON GROUND (SOUNDBITE) (Tamil) VELU, A DEVOTEE, SAYING: "Veerapathiran Samy is our ancestral God. We have been praying to this God in this way since our childhood. Breaking coconuts on heads is the main part of this festival." PRIESTS BREAKING COCONUTS ON DEVOTEES HEADS MORE PRIESTS BREAKING COCONUTS ON DEVOTEES HEADS CAMPHOR LIT AS PART OF THE RITUAL
- Embargoed: 2nd July 2009 04:07
- Keywords:
- Location: India
- Country: India
- Topics: Religion
- Reuters ID: LVA4179BJNDJPE2MN03XST1OFO0K
- Aspect Ratio: 4:3
- Story Text: Devotees in a village of India's southern Tamil Nadu state celebrate a festival by breaking coconuts on their heads to appease a Hindu deity.
In a unique ritual, Indian priests break coconuts over the heads of devotees during a temple festival in a village in India's southern Tamil Nadu state, to fulfil a vow to their presiding deity.
Devotees in M.C. Palli village celebrated the festival of Veerapathiran Samy on Sunday (June 14).
The Kurumbar community, which live in the village, observes the festival in honour of Veerapathiran Samy, whom they see as the presiding deity.
As part of the festival, priests break coconuts on the heads of the devotees.
"Veerapathiran Samy is our ancestral God. We have been praying to this God in this way since our childhood. Breaking coconuts on heads is the main part of this festival," said Velu, a devotee.
Devotees believe they are repaying their gratitude to their presiding deity by having coconuts broken on their heads.
Hundreds of devotes, both male and female, come from all parts of the state to take part in this ritual. - Copyright Holder: ANI (India)
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