VIDEO: MADNESS Or WORSHIP? Shocking Story Of Hindu Ritual In Which Priests Break Coconut On Worshippers Head For Good Fortune [See Details]
In an annual pilgrimage to a secluded village in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, thousands of fervent devotees engage in a strenuous ritual aimed at securing good health and success.
Astonishingly, men, women, and even children willingly submit to priests who vigorously smash hard coconuts on their skulls. While the act of breaking coconuts on a sacred stone as an offering to the deity is a customary practice in South Indian temples, the uncommon spectacle of individuals breaking them on their own heads is perceived as an extreme manifestation of devotion.
Aligned in rows on the temple floor, several devotees patiently await the approach of temple priests carrying a sack of coconuts. With one priest firmly securing their heads, another unhesitatingly brings down the coconuts, completing the entire process within minutes.
The scene unfolds with some devotees visibly wincing in pain upon the impact, while others immediately engage in massaging their heads. Surprisingly, a few individuals, deep in a meditative state of prayer, do not display any signs of discomfort. Notwithstanding, medical personnel are consistently on standby to address any severe injuries that may arise.
Year after year, doctors caution devotees about the potentially fatal consequences of this practice. Neurosurgery professor Anil Kumar Peethambaran explains, There is a certain amount of tolerance for the skull beyond which it will cause damage. ” If the coconut breaks, the energy is dissipated, but when it doesn’ t, this can cause damage to the skull. ” Despite these warnings, staunch devotees remain undeterred, expressing confidence in the deity’ s protection. Remarkably, this tradition has persisted since the 19th century. “
