In unique ritual, devotees bang heads against rock at this temple fair

VIJAYAPURA: In a unique ritual, devotees bang their heads against a stone slab and a rock during a temple fair at Gani village in Nidagundi taluk here.

Devotees also bang their heads against a stone slab in front of the Someshwara temple.

The Someshwara temple fair is usually held after the Kartika month of the Hindu calendar. During the fair, hundreds of devotees bang their heads thrice against a stone slab outside the temple and another huge rock and offer prayers.

The ritual has been going on for many years and its origin is unknown. However, locals claim that no one has been injured while performing the ritual in all these years.

Devendra, a resident of the village, said the ritual has been going on generations and added that it is believed that one’s wishes are fulfilled by the presiding deity.

Madan, another resident, said no one has suffered any injuries in the ritual and the devotees do not feel any pain.  Some may have taken a vow, he added. “The number of devotees is increasing every year. Devotees come from Maharashtra and Kalyana-Karnataka region apart from other parts of the state”, he noted.