Several hurt in 'nutty' ritual
2004-08-03 16:31
New Delhi - A thousand devotees cracked open coconuts on their heads on Tuesday as part of an unusual southern Indian festival called Aadi Perukku.
The ritual, which is more than 30 years old, is meant to please the goddess of wealth. The devotees - men, women and children - travelled from all over southern India to the Mahalakshmi temple in Karur, Tamil Nadu state, the UNI news agency reported.
Not all of the participants were brave. Only those willing to have the priest smash a coconut on their heads were allowed into the central area of the temple.
Police said a few devotees were injured and bleeding from the head. - DPA
- SAPA