SOCIETY

Liquor offerings to a patron saint in Punjab

     Ropar (Punjab): A patron saint in Punjab, who loved liquor and cigarettes, is offered cigarettes and bottles of liquor along with other kinds of offerings by devotees to please him and even seek favours. The memorial of Baba Mastji (the patron saint) of Lohgarh village in Punjab's Ropar District is thronged with the devotees from across the country on the occasion of his death anniversary which falls on December 26. The ceremony relating to his anniversary lasts for three days. "Whatever offerings are made by the devotees, we distribute it to the workers and the volunteers," said Sadhu Singh, President of the Memorial Committee. Scores of devotees claim that the saint has fulfilled all favors they that have been asked of him. "I come here twice or thrice in a year. The wish of the person who comes here gets fulfilled. This place is a good example of the unity between the Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs. You would not find anything like this anywhere in the world," said Avtar Singh, a devotee from Delhi. "We wished for a son last year. Now as our wish is fulfilled we have come here to thank Baba. People make all kinds of offerings here including liquor and cigarettes," said Kanchan, another devotee. The 155 -year -old memorial is located near the 350- year- old temple of Lord Shiva. The saint is said to have come to the village 175 years ago and died after twenty years.
-Dec 30, 2006

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