Villagers dance evil away

2005-05-02 19:34

New Delhi - Scores of villagers participated in a ghost festival in the northern Indian state of Bihar on Monday, determined to ward off evil spirits that they believe impede chances of a better life.

According to a widely-held superstition in the state, dancing at the fete and offering gifts and liquor is a sure shot cure for every problem in their lives, New Delhi Television (NDTV) reported.

The ghost festival in Gopalganj village in Bihar is being organised amidst rumours of an "onion witch" emanating from the neighbouring state of Uttar Pradesh.

Uttar Pradesh's capital city Lucknow has been reportedly stalked by the "onion witch", who goes house to house asking for onions.

Soon after she leaves, there is a death in the household, residents claimed.

The ghost fest at Gopalganj, which is held twice a year, started about 30 years back as a superstitious practice.

It became so much a part of the local culture, that it has turned into a full-fledged festival.

Wine and fish are offered to appease the spirits. "People offer prayers here, they offer gifts, they even offer liquor," Dinesh, a devotee, told NDTV.

India's rural population places a lot of belief in spiritual seers who claim to have magic remedies and cures for improving their followers' lives.

Many of them choose these self-styled seers over doctors and modern day medicine.

A blind belief in ghosts and witches is also prevalent in large parts of rural India.

In February, hundreds of "possessed" women gathered at an annual "bhoot pret ka mela" (fair of ghosts and spirits) in central India to have ghosts beaten out of them with brooms. - Sapa-dpa

- SAPA