Tamil Nadu: Priest whips women ‘cursed by black magic’ at temple festival in Namakkal district
India Today
Videos have emerged of a temple priest in Tamil Nadu’s Namakkal district whipping women who were suspected of being “cursed by black magic.” It was reportedly a ritual conducted as part of the temple’s festivities.
Videos have emerged of a priest in Tamil Nadu’s Namakkal district whipping women who were suspected to be “cursed by black magic.”
In a ritual conducted in Naraikinar village near Rasipuram in Tamil Nadu’s Namakkal District, a priest, dressed like Kaateri (a form of deity prayed by villagers to keep away evil) struck several women with a winnow and whip.
This ritual is happening after 20 years and the belief of the ritual is that the priest dressed would strike those women who were suspected of being “cursed by black magic.”
India Today is using the video due to its violent nature.
In the video, the priest, dressed in black, can be seen carrying a whip and hitting women suspected of being cursed by "black magic." People watching the ritual can be heard whistling in excitement as the priest is about to strike the women.
The eagerly-watching crowd can be heard chanting, "podu.. podu.. [thrash, thrash]." The priest then proceeds to raise his whip, and at that moment, the woman folds her hands in reverence. She raises her folded hands and then the priest proceeds to strike her with the whip.
People from 18 neighbouring villages participated in the ritual. Since it was happening after 20 years, a large crowd came to witness the ritual.
