Gujarat: Flouting COVID norms, thousands walk to temple

Believing that the COVID-19 pandemic was the curse of Lord Baliyadev Maharaj, thousands of devotees from Navapura and Nidhrada villages in Sanand Tehsil of Ahmedabad thronged the temple to propitiate the deity. In a video that has gone viral, the villagers are seen walking without masks on their faces.

Ahmedabad (Gujarat): Believing that the COVID-19 pandemic was the curse of Lord Baliyadev Maharaj, thousands of devotees from Navapura and Nidhrada villages in Sanand Tehsil of Ahmedabad thronged the temple to propitiate the deity. In a video that has gone viral, the villagers are seen walking without masks on their faces.

The Sanand police have filed charges in the matter and arrested around two dozen people for violation of the protocols.

Thousands of people were mobilized for a mass gathering upon the Baliyadev Temple priest's call to fulfil the 'Badha' (vow) to shower the temple. Along with the vow, a myth was also linked that by fulfilling the vow the temple deity would get rid of the COVID-19 outbreak in the country.

What is the belief?

Villagers here believe that the pandemic is an act of God. In order to appease him, people thought it appropriate to offer him holy water. They gathered together and walked to the temple in a procession carrying water in urns on their head. As the video went viral, the police rushed to the venue and dispersed them.

The state government had on the foundation day of Gujarat issued certain guidelines to prevent the pandemic from spreading in rural areas. Accordingly, the responsibility of implementing these guidelines was handed to the respective village sarpanches.

With inputs from agencies