It is natural for us humans to turn to God when we are in trouble and there seems to be no way out. We often shout ‘Hey Bhagwaan!’, hoping that bhagwaan will listen and our troubles will magically vanish. Because, is a little divine intervention too much to ask for?
Hoping for the same, superstitious women across villages in Bihar are worshipping ‘Corona Devi’ believing that it would help them get rid of the coronavirus pandemic, reports Outlook.
Women have been spotted digging pits into the ground, lighting incense sticks, and burying ladoos, flowers, cloves, cardamom, etc into the pits as offerings. They then chant prayers asking ‘Corona Devi’ to chase the virus away. In a few other areas, women are also offering ‘poha’ to the goddess.
Such incidents have taken place in various districts in Bihar including Nalanda, Gopalganj, Saran, Vaishali, and Muzaffarpur. According to ABP News, the ritual is now being performed by some women in UP as well.
A video captured the women carrying out the rituals. Have a look:
The idea for worship first emerged after a woman watched a video which claimed that if coronavirus had to be “chased away”, a ritual with offerings of ladoos, flowers, and sesame seeds would “do the trick”. Another woman said that ritual occurred to her in a dream.
A civil surgeon from Gopalganj said that the ritual is based on pure superstition and that the virus needs medical attention.
“Corona is an epidemic and its medical treatment is necessary,” he said.
Not divine, but medical intervention coupled with proper social safety-norms is the answer to flatten the coronavirus curve!
Cover Image: Source.