INDIA: Dozens of locals get run over by herds of cows as a part of a traditional ritual to get their wishes fulfilled in India's central state of Madhya Pradesh
Record ID:
1377102
INDIA: Dozens of locals get run over by herds of cows as a part of a traditional ritual to get their wishes fulfilled in India's central state of Madhya Pradesh
- Title: INDIA: Dozens of locals get run over by herds of cows as a part of a traditional ritual to get their wishes fulfilled in India's central state of Madhya Pradesh
- Date: 14th November 2012
- Summary: UJJAIN, MADHYA PRADESH, INDIA (NOVEMBER 14, 2012) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (ANI-NO ACCESS BBC) VILLAGERS GATHERED FOR THE TRADITIONAL RITUAL VILLAGERS STANDING BEFORE A GROUP OF DRUMMERS VILLAGE ELDERS WALKING OUT OF THEIR HOUSES GARLANDED VOLUNTEERS WALKING WITH VILLAGERS HERD OF COWS COWS STANDING BEFORE A TEMPLE VILLAGERS DANCING TO DRUM BEATS COWS TRAMPLING VOLUNTEERS LYING ON THE GROUND (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) VILLAGER, REKHA DUBEY, SAYING: "This is a traditional festival observed during Ekadashi fast after which the entire village's cows are made to run over men lying on the ground. We worship the cows before the ritual and also fast for five days and sing hymns during the festival. Q.: Don't people get injured during this ritual? Of course, none gets injured, not even scratches, also wishes of villagers are fulfilled." BHOPAL, MADHYA PRADESH, INDIA (NOVEMBER 14, 2012) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (ANI-NO ACCESS BBC) LOCALS GATHERED IN A FIELD LOCALS BRINGING THEIR BUFFALOES TO THE FIELD LOCALS SURROUNDING THE WARRING BUFFALOES A CURIOUS LOCAL RESIDENT CAPTURING THE BUFFALO FIGHT ON HIS CELLPHONE BUFFALOES LOCKING HORNS BUFFALOES PUSHING EACHOTHER MEN PATTING THEIR BUFFALOES DURING THE FIGHT LOCALS GATHERED TO WITNESS THE FIGHT BUFFALOES FIGHTING BUFFALOES ENGAGED IN A FIGHT CURIOUS ONLOOKERS SURRONDING THE FIGHTING BUFFALOES
- Embargoed: 29th November 2012 19:53
- Keywords:
- Location: India
- Country: India
- Topics: Human Interest / Brights / Odd News,People,Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky
- Reuters ID: LVAEYHZ8RKHP90OM3MLKQT2SJEQ3
- Aspect Ratio: 4:3
- Story Text: In yet another example of blind faith dozens of locals chose to get trampled by a herd of rushing cows as a part of a traditional ritual observed at Bhidawad village in Ujjain region of India's central state of Madhya Pradesh on Wednesday (November 14).
Locals of Bhidawad and neighbouring hamlets have been practising this bizarre ritual since many centuries.
It is observed on the occasion of Ekadashi, the very next day after Deepavali, the Hindu festival of lights that was celebrated across India on Tuesday (November 13).
Scores of people gathered at Bhidawad with their cattle that they worshipped at the outset.
For this rare event, the villagers decorated their cattle with colours and henna in different patterns.
Later they chose to get run over by their livestock with the belief their prayers would be answered.
Hundreds of other villagers also assembled on the streets to witness the peculiar event as men wearing garlands lay on the village streets as herds of cows were made to run and literally trample them.
On their part, the spectators cheered as the cows ran over the men volunteers.
Astonishingly the locals claim no one has ever got hurt during this ritual that is believed to bring prosperity for the entire village.
A villager spoke to the mediapersons about the significance of this ritual and the faith associated with the traditional ritual.
"This is a traditional festival observed during Ekadashi fast after which the entire village's cows are made to run over men lying on the ground. We worship the cows before the ritual and also fast for five days and sing hymns during the festival.
Q.: Don't people get injured during this ritual? Of course, none gets injured, not even scratches, also wishes of villagers are fulfilled," said Rekha Dubey, a villager who witnessed the ritual.
A similar ritual involving bovine livestock of buffaloes was observed at Bhopal, the provincial capital on the same day.
A huge crowd of locals witnessed the buffalo fight.
This is an event practiced by the community of Yadavs whose prime occupation is rearing livestock of cows and buffaloes and selling milk.
Prior to the event, the buffaloes are initially worshipped as part of 'Govardhan Puja', observed a day after Deepavali.
After the worship, the animals are made to consume alcohol or toddy (grog from the palm trees) and then prodded to lock horns.
Spectators were seen cheering and clapping, anticipating an entertaining duel, when the specially reared animals were brought to the arena on an expansive field.
The fight has come to represent the traditional religious beliefs of the rural region and is awaited by one and all.
Since centuries, the practice of buffalo fighting has been followed, wherein the two animals are made to lock horns, fighting for the honour of an area until one of them is pushed off the field.
Although the administration has banned buffalo fights owing to the ill treatment meted out to the animals, these events are still widely practiced across the Malwa region in the state. - Copyright Holder: ANI (India)
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