'Little gods' of Prayag

By Staff
|
Google Oneindia News

Ardh Kumbh Nagar, Jan 23 (UNI) Confused, irritated and often agitated at the attraction they were getting from people, little children in this holy confluence of rivers have adopted to a new lifestyle in which they dress up as gods and goddesses to bless people, who offer them with rice and pulses.

They do not like talking about themselves nor do they tell their names, but these children dressed as Lord Ram, Sita, Shiv and Krishna are generous in giving blessings, if people offer them money or dry ration.

A brother-sister duo, aged below four years were seen playing the role of Lord Ram and his wife Sita. But the 'little' Sita was agitated and threw her plastic 'damru' at 'Ram', who was busy giving 'ashirwad' to all those who offered him money or food.

She refused to take a 50 paisa coin and threw it out of her steel thali. She was happy with the Re one and Rs 2 coins offered to her.

On her left side, she had created a small bundle of her favourite items, which perhaps, she had received as offerings. Two bangles -- much smaler than her wrist size, a shining new Rs 2 coin and a set of earings.

Policemen deployed in the area said the children were not unattended. Their parents or 'handlers' often keep a watch on their activities. They also ensure other beggers do not take away the offerings they had received.

Then there was another girl -- aged two. She was not even aware of the role she was playing. Dressed in a shiny lehenga, she too was attracting offerings from pilgrims.

Since she was too small, there were no customary blessings.

Painted sky blue was Lord Shiva, holding a plastic snake and a wooden 'trishul' (trident). Every few minutes, he shouts 'Alakh Niranjan', much to the amusement of passersby.

Another little girl was attracting attention holding a snake.

Her father was seeking alms in the name of Lord Shiv.

The little girl, not the least scared of the snake, was seen throwing off the reptile from her father's shoulders. The snake too, offered no resistance.

UNI

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