Kurnool (Andhra Pradesh): Devotees at a temple in Kodumur village of Andhra Pradesh's Kurnool district, perform a strange custom by offering live scorpions as 'naivedyam' (offering) to Lord Venkateshwar and even garland God with the same.
This decade-old ritual is performed every year on third Monday of holy Sravana month at Lord Venkateshwar temple situated in the hills of the village.
It is believed that even if the scorpion inflicts a painful sting it does no harm to the devotees on this day.
According to devotees, “If in case the scorpion bites them, the pain will be relieved when we do pradakshina (also known as circumlocution) in the temple."
The scorpion festival is celebrated in a grand manner with utmost devotion where devotees including childless couples visit the temple from all across the state to seek the lord's blessings to fulfill their wishes and offer prayers.
Worshipers including the women, children and men catch scorpions from beneath the rocks of the hill and participate in the ritual without fear.
