India is in the 21st century and we are growing in technology and mindset by leaps and bounds, but there are still some parts of India which are still backward and superstitious.
One such example is from Bhiravad in Ujjain, where cows are made to trample humans. This ritual is something that happens on the day of Ekadashi. People consider this auspicious.
50 kilometre from Ujjain is Budnagar Tehsil in the Bhiravad village. On Ekadashi day the people of this place follow a crazy ritual. Those living here lie down and then cows run over them, leaving some seriously injured. You could ask why endure such pain?
The answer is plain and simple superstition. Here’s the deal. One asks for a wish from the goddess Gauri and the person’s wish comes true, so it becomes essential that the person lie down and all the cows in the village trample upon the person. Villagers and even the Police are mute spectators to the ritual and no one comes forward to stop this from happening.
The ambience is like there are people beating drums dancing and singing in gay abandon. The belief is 33 crore gods and goddesses are present in the cow. Locals claim a cow going over a person basically means that they are blessed. These people initially stay on a fast and just have fruit, water and other special edibles for fasting time. The people are mentally counselled to take on the challenge.
The people are first made to go all around the village. Then the people are made to lie on their stomach and a cloth is tied on their head. The cows are made to run from one side of the village. They run in a way that they go and trample the person on its way ahead.
With the ritual over the women of the village apply a tilak on the forehead of the person in question. No matter how painful and dangerous, those whose wishes are fulfilled they are ready to go to any extent to seek the blessings of the divine cow.
Residents have been practising this bizarre ritual for centuries. Ekadashi is an event that takes place a day after Diwali.
Vllagers decorate their cattle with colours and henna in different patterns. Similar scenes play out in Bhopal.
This is an event practiced by the Yadav community whose prime occupation is to rear cows and buffaloes and to sell milk.
India has 30 per cent of the world’s cattle. There are 26 distinctive breeds of cow in India. The hump, long ears and bushy tail distinguish the Indian cow.
Nandi Bull, a vehicle of the gods, is considered the symbol of respect for all male cattle.
The Nandi Bull holy site at Madurai and the Shiva temple at Mahabalipuram are the most venerated bovine shrines.
The cow was venerated as the mother goddess in the early Mediterranean civilizations.
The cow became important in India, first in the Vedic period. Of all gifts, the cow is still considered the highest in rural India.
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