Priest 'walks over' people to bring good fortune at this AP festival

A priest 'walks over' a human chain to bring good fortune as part of a festival in Andhra Pradesh. 'Nooka Taata', is an annual festival which is celebrated by the fishing community in Visakhapatnam's Rajayyapet village two days after 'Maha Shivaratri'.

Visakhapatnam: In a unique cultural ritual, the fishing community from Andhra Pradesh's Visakhapatnam district celebrate a festival, wherein a priest walks over a row of people to bring good fortune.

'Nooka Taata' is an annual festival which is celebrated by the fishing community in the district's Rajayyapet village two days after 'Maha Shivaratri'.

A large number of people go to the sea shore to take a holy bath early in the morning and change into a fresh set of clothes, following which they lie down on the ground, forming a long human chain.

A priest, who is called 'Nooka Taata', then 'walks over' the human chain, stepping on each person in the process.

Fishermen believe that the ritual brings good fortune, keeping the village safe and driving ills away.

According to local legends, an elderly man who was referred to as 'Nooka Taata', laid down his life to protect the village. It is believed that the Lord himself came down to earth as 'Nooka Taata' for the well-being of the villagers.

A large number of young people, especially newly-wed brides take part in the festival to be blessed with healthy children.

As the festival gains popularity, the village witnesses a large influx of people from Kerala, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, and all across the state during the festival.

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