Devotees at southern India beach flout COVID norms during religious rituals

Record ID: 1639085

  • Title: Devotees at southern India beach flout COVID norms during religious rituals
  • Date: 29th September 2021
  • Summary: RAMESWARAM, TAMIL NADU, INDIA (SEPTEMBER 28, 2021) (ANI - NO USE INDIA) RAMANATHASWAMY TEMPLE VARIOUS OF CROWD OF DEVOTEES VARIOUS OF CROWD OF DEVOTEES AT BEACH BATHING AND PERFORMING RITUALS CHILDREN BATHING IN WATER DEVOTEES GATHERED VARIOUS OF WOMAN PREPARING DOUGH BALLS FOR RITUALS PEOPLE PERFORMING RITUALS (SOUNDBITE) (Tamil) DEVOTEE, DHANALAXMI, SAYING: "Every year we come to perform 'Mahalaya' ritual (for ancestors) but this time it was a bit difficult. We could not do the worship on the intended date because of restrictions put in place in the town. We urge the government to reconsider this as it's an important religious duty and to allow the devotees to do rituals." VARIOUS OF PEOPLE PERFORMING RITUALS DOUGH BALLS (SOUNDBITE) (Tamil) PRIEST, SRIKANTH JHOSI, SAYING: "Every year we used to get huge rush here. This year also, the rush has increased despite the restrictions on Saturdays and Sundays. This prompted the devotees to stay back in the city for two days during which they wait and perform the ritual on the next day, which is leading to more crowd than usual." VARIOUS OF PEOPLE BATHING AND GATHERED AT BEACH
  • Embargoed: 13th October 2021 09:16
  • Keywords: Hindu India Rameswaram Tamil Nadu ancestors fortnight beach religion ritual
  • Location: RAMESWARAM, TAIL NADU, INDIA
  • City: RAMESWARAM, TAIL NADU, INDIA
  • Country: India
  • Topics: Asia / Pacific,Religion/Belief,Society/Social Issues
  • Reuters ID: LVA001EWRUKWF
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Thousands of devotees gathered at the coastal town of Rameswaram in southern India to perform rituals for the peace of their ancestors on Tuesday (September 28).
    Devotees were seen bathing and performing rituals, all without masks, amid huge crowds on Tuesday during 'Mahalaya' or 'Shraadh Pitru Paksha' - the ancestors fortnight.
    According to the Hindu tradition, 'Pitru Paksha' is a 16-lunar day period.
    It falls in the Hindu lunar month of Bhadrapada (September-October), beginning with the full moon day that occurs immediately after the 10-day festival of 'Ganesh Chaturthi' and ends with the new moon day.
    It is believed that when humans die, their mortal body turns to dust whereas the soul remains until it does not find another mortal body to reside.
    The soul can escape the painful cycle of birth, rebirth, and deaths, if these sacred rituals are performed for ancestors, the Hindus contend.
    India reported 18,870 new cases on Wednesday (September 29) taking the total of coronavirus infections to 33,716,451, according to the Union Health Ministry data.
    However, experts have warned against the easing of restrictions too soon and gathering of crowds to avoid the repeat of a surprise second wave.
  • Copyright Holder: ANI (India)
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