Maharashtra villagers sensitized against bizarre superstitious rituals

Sangli (Maharashtra), Mar 19 (ANI): Authorities have launched an awareness campaign in Maharashtra's Sangli district to rid the locals of practising bizarre superstitious rituals.

Villagers in Sangli follow a ritual of lowering the infants into a 50-feet deep well with a belief it would help in increasing the life of the kids.

This ritual is very old and the villagers observe it every year on the occasion of 'Gudi Padwa' or the Hindu New Year.

The ritual had the district authorities concerned.

"This is a very old tradition, but still it is not correct to carry it out in today's age. So I've asked the SDM (Sub-Divisional Magistrate) to go to the village and talk to the villagers to discontinue this ritual," said Shyam Vardane, District Magistrate, Sangli.

This is just one of many incidents that people in various parts of India follow, especially in the rural areas.

Lack of education and awareness and prohibitive medical care often leads the people to practice bizarre rituals with a belief it would bring them good luck or prosperity or even long life. (ANI)