Himachal Pradesh village consecrates Goddess in temple after 200 years

Spiritual dances and sacrificing of goats and sheep marked a function to consecrate the Goddess Singhasini Devi at a temple in the village of Tyawal in Himachal Pradeshs Rampur town, recently.

Tyawal (Himachal Pradesh), July 13 : Spiritual dances and sacrificing of goats and sheep marked a function to consecrate the Goddess Singhasini Devi at a temple in the village of Tyawal in Himachal Pradesh's Rampur town, recently.

Over 5000 villagers attended the consecration ceremony at the village, located about 145 kilometres from Shimla.

Villagers carried a host deity of Singhasini Devi and three other deities from neighbouring villages through the streets.

Villagers claimed that the deities also dance along with them to bring both happiness and prosperity.

"Lots of Gods and Goddesses have come here. Villagers put a pitcher on top of the temple and the Gods and Goddesses are taken around the village which is very good because it brings happiness and prosperity,' said Chandra Prakash, a villager.

Mohan Mehta, another villager, said that such a ceremony took place 200 years ago.

It is said that during the ceremony, oracles of the deities enter a trance-like state, pierce thin iron spikes through their cheeks, nose and other body parts.

ANI