SOCIETY

Thousands visit Mahuadham to get rid of evil spirits before Diwali

      Ranchi: Ahead of Diwali festival, hundreds of thousands of people are rushing to Mahuadham in Palamu District of Jharkhand to get their family members rid themselves of evil spirits. Every year just after the culmination of Navratri festival, people suspected of being possessed by bad 'spirits' or are brought here for treatment from far off places across the State. The place is believed to be a holy place and having supernatural powers to confront the bad influence of spirits. The faithful ones, including those possessed by demons and ghosts, visit the shrine during the intervening period between Navaratri and Deepavali. This period is considered as the most appropriate time to get rid of the evil power. "Whosoever is affected with the evil spirit will become active here, irrespective of one's gender or age group the place has tremendous effect on victim," said Tyagi Baba, the priest of the shrine. The "special treatment" that includes a mud bath is done without charging any money.Only the cost for the material required to perform Puja or for the offering is charged. "They (Priests) don't take money. They haven't asked anything from me so far. My daughter is yet to get well," said a devotee. During the treatment, the victims encircle the holy tree of Mahua, take bath in the mud and then sit inside the holy pit to be rid of evil spirits "I have sent the ghost from where it came. The girl had started showing symptoms of having fallen victim to some evil spirit when she was brought. We worship the Mahua tree here," said Machhua Baba, who treats the victims.
-Oct 8, 2006

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