 |
 |
|
|
|
AMRITSAR: Following the age-old tradition, thousands offered liquor at the shrine of Muslim seer Baba Rode Shah near here during the three-day annual fair, which concluded on March 24. The devotees visit the shrine situated in Bhoma town, 34 km from here, with offerings of liquor meant for Baba Rode Shah. As a ritual they bring bottles, pouches and buckets containing a heady cocktail of drinks ranging from cheap country-made liquor to foreign brands. The alcohol, offered in response to fulfilment of desires, is later distributed among the devotees. Harbans Singh, a devotee, said, "It is not that we only offer liquor. There are religious prayers as well. There is nothing wrong with this tradition, which has been going on for years and will continue forever. People have great faith in this fair, as prayers offered bring them jobs, happiness and success in life". It is believed that Rode Shah underwent austere penance and was blessed with mystical powers. Today the shrine is known for its miraculous cures. According to the devotees, by offering liquor at the shrine childless couples have been blessed with children and people have achieved prosperity. According to a myth, Baba Rode Shah moved to this village in 1896 and lived on the outskirts. He was a holy man and soon the miracles he performed to help people in distress made him popular. The Baba was a teetotaller. Once when one of his devotees offered him liquor to show his gratitude for the fulfilled wish, the Baba distributed it among his disciples. And, later this became a tradition. Balbeer Singh, a devotee, said, "all kinds of liquor is offered at the shrine here, be it country-made liquor or expensive foreign-brewed whisky". This "parsad" is given to the devotees in the form of liquor in small plastic bags. Though heavy security arrangements are made at the fair, police tend to go a bit easy on devotees who, most of the time, end up in a drunken stupor on the pavements. "There is no question of any grant of permission. The administration does not want to hurt anybody's religious feelings", said Paramjit Singh Teja, a police official. Many policemen even believe that if they stop the devotees from drinking, the Baba's wrath will turn them blind. -ANI |
|