Pilgrims enjoy 'chicken prasad' at Sailababa fair

Pilibhit (Uttar Pradesh), Mar 21: Setting aside the fear of Bird Flu, the pilgrims from across the country are offering and eating chicken as 'prasad' at the four-day annual Urs of Sailababa in the forests of this district.

Devotees thronging the fair hold the belief that offering chicken as 'prasad' and then consuming it with other pilgrims will fulfill their desires.

While Maharashtra is killing thousands of chickens to prevent the spread of the Avian Influenza, these forests are witnessing offering of equal number of chickens to Sailababa.

''Be it Bird Flu or any other disease, Sailababa is going to save us, as chicken offering and consumption here is linked to a long standing belief,'' said one of the pilgrims.

The chicken prices which have suffered a severe blow nationally, following the Bird Flu reports, have, are enjoying a steady rise here, with the birds being sold at rates upto Rs 100 per kg.

UNI