Jagriti Rai (intern journalist), Chhattisgarh: This is a ritual in Chhattisgarh’s dhamtari district. Women who want to get pregnant, lie on the ground with their stomachs pressed. While a group of priests walks on their backs, chanting mantras and beseeching the blessings from a local Goddess.

This is all a part of the traditional fair called Madhai Mela which is believed to be taking place for the past 500 years, celebrated on the first Friday after Diwali.

The fair is attended by 1000 devotees, who offer their reverence to Goddess Angaarmoti . Secretary of the Aadishakti maa Angaarmoti trust, RN Dhruv.

Condemned the loathing that the ritual was receiving and said people had certain beliefs that shouldn’t be misinterpreted.

Apart from the unusual ritual, what caught the eye was the mass gathering during this pandemic.

Ironically, the occasion where the police forces were deployed. Saw an outright flouting of covid 19 norms, with people roaming around without masks. People had quite a few things to say about the whole ritual.

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