YADGIR: In this modern era, there is still a practice of tying the legs of mentally challenged people in order to treat them in a village in Yadgir district.When this correspondent visited Mailara Lingeshwar Mutt, situated on the outskirts of Goudagera village of Yadgir, he saw the legs of mentally challenged patients, including children, tied with iron chains. About 20 patients, including patients with skin diseases, had come for treatment accompanied by their guardians on Wednesday, and some of them were tied with chains.Bhimanna Kambar, manager of the Mutt, explained that the Mutt houses the Samadhi of Gundugurti Mallikarjun Tata and is a famous Tapovana. “Till 2 years ago, it was only Tapovana, but when Galima Tata and Shankrayya Tata arrived, miracles happened and that’s how patients started coming to the Mutt.” Kambar said these miracles would take place on full moon or no moon days. “Some would stay for a day or two in this Mutt and would leave after being cured, while a few others would stay for months for divine treatment,” he said.Elaborating, he said, “The treatment is simple. Galima or Shankrayya would listen to patients’ problems. They would be given holy water and turmeric. But, no treatment would be given to patients with blood injuries.” He said the guardians would voluntarily tie the legs of their wards with chains to prevent them from escaping.Devotees from Raichur, Gulbarga, Yadgir and Andhra thronged to the Mutt on Wednesday as not only was it a full moon day, but there was a lunar eclipse too.
Comments
0 comment