Faith healing fever grips Doon Valley

Dehradun, Sep 18 (UNI) Hundreds of people are flocking to Naya Gaon, near Ratanpur, 14 km from Dehradun city, to seek a remedy for joint pains and other diseases through a Mahua tree.

Talking to UNI, Gram Pradhan Rajendra Bisht disclosed that more than 500 people visit the spot in a single day, starting from 0400 hrs till midnight.

However, he dismissed the phenomenon as a 'mere superstition'.

It is believed that by kneeling down and placing one's hand on the ground near the root of the tree, one feels a vibration and sensation of being pulled towards the tree. Visitors claim that through this process, one gets cured of any disease, particularly Arthritis. However, to avail the full benefit of cure, one has to continously visit the tree for three days and practice the process thrice at one go.

Forest employee Mr Devi Ram Semwal said the tree was around 25 years old and about 50 ft in height.

However, there was a section of visitors who dismissed this 'faith healing', claiming they did not experience any such cure.

UNI