BAGALKOT: Villagers of Badagi in Bilagi taluk were surprised to find a dead monkey in front of an under-construction Hanuman temple in the village on Monday. Believing that it was some miracle of Lord Hanuman, they laid the dead monkey to rest with all religious rituals.
Upon finding the dead monkey, the villagers performed ‘arati’ and other rituals. It was then taken out in procession throughout the village and later interred in the sanctum sanctorum of the under-construction temple.
“We had planned to install the idol after six months. Now, Lord Hanuman himself has come to our village”, they said.
“The monkey was found dead around 9 am. The last rites were performed with all religious rituals. The womenfolk performed ‘arati’ at all the houses. We are saddened by the death of the monkey, but since it died at the temple, we think it is something special. It is like Lord Anjaneya himself has come to stay in our village”, said one of the villagers.
“Since it is the month of Shravan, it is a good omen. There were two younger monkeys, which left about half an hour after the old one died. We arranged bhajans and conducted the last rites as per religious rituals. Meals prasadam was also organised”, explained another villager.