Controversial festival sees Indian women whipped 'to expel evil spirits'
- 5 years ago
In a strange and controversial ritual in south India women who were believed to be possessed by evil spirits will be given vicious whip lashes to “free them from these bad elements”.
The annual festival of Vijayadasami Day is held on October 8 at the ancient Sri Achappan Temple at Bavithram Vellalapatti, a remote village situated on the border of Tiruchi and Namakkal districts, in Tamil Nadu state.
The male priests, dressed in traditional attire, struck the nearly 3000 ‘possessed’ women with whips, sometimes three to four times a person, in order to cure them of illnesses and malign influences.
Many of the attendees do come willingly, believing that the lashing will aid in healing or fixing their issues, though it has drawn significant controversy over the violence of its administration.
The annual festival of Vijayadasami Day is held on October 8 at the ancient Sri Achappan Temple at Bavithram Vellalapatti, a remote village situated on the border of Tiruchi and Namakkal districts, in Tamil Nadu state.
The male priests, dressed in traditional attire, struck the nearly 3000 ‘possessed’ women with whips, sometimes three to four times a person, in order to cure them of illnesses and malign influences.
Many of the attendees do come willingly, believing that the lashing will aid in healing or fixing their issues, though it has drawn significant controversy over the violence of its administration.