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Devotees write letters to god in Almora
by Vipul Goel

     Almora (Uttarakhand): In a unique ritual, devotees in Almora district write letters to god and hang it at the Neleya Pant temple of lord Golu, an incarnation of Lord Shiva. Lord Golu is reputed to make all wishes come true if requested with a clear conscience. Numerous bells hung in the temple premises are a symbol of the many wishes that must have been fulfilled. "He is known to be the God of justice. People from different parts of India and abroad come here and hang their applications here if they are being denied justice. If their wishes are fulfilled they come and donate bells and pray," said the priest of the temple Neleya Pant. People have immense faith in the deity and hundreds of devotees visit the temple everyday. "People believe that if they put their letter here, their wishes will be fulfilled. Even I thought that my wishes would be fulfilled so I have put a wish letter here," said Prakash Chand, a devotee. Those facing legal problems often use stamp paper for their letters. Devotees offers bells and sacrifice animals after the fulfilment of wish. Thousands of bells of every size can be seen hanging over the temple premisces. Lod Golu is worshipped all over the region and regarded as the dispenser of justice by the devotees with extreme faith. There are many temples of Lord Golu in Kumaun, and the most popular of them are at Chitai, Champawat and Ghorakhal.
-June 8, 2009