Superstition: In A Drought-Hit Village In Karnataka, Boy Paraded Naked To Please Rain God

Our prayers take shapes of weird rituals when we are in pain. A boy in a drought-hit village in Chitradurga district of Karnataka was paraded naked to please the Rain God.

On June 10th, the bizarre ritual took place in Pandarahalli. The video of this superstitious ritual was recorded and went viral. The boy was first stripped naked and given symbolic bath pouring some water upon him, after which villagers performed Pooja to an idol. The villagers made the naked boy carry the idol in the village amid some chanting and beating of drums. An adolescent boy is chosen for the ritual.

The logical Indian raises questions on such superstitious beliefs and rituals. Even if one has a firm belief in something there are other harmless ways to worship, pray or wish. Here this it is a scar on boy’s innocent mind for a life time, and no one can tell it for sure the sacrifice done by the boy will really please the Rain God. It is time we rise above prejudices and superstitions and look for some scientific solutions to the problems.