Andhra Pradesh - Others   

Tribals seek divine intervention for their children's health

S. Harpal Singh

Gonds pay obeisance to goddess Mutyalbai twice a year praying for her benevolence

PRAYERS FOR HEALTH: Gond tribals making 'pradakshina' of the Mutyalbai temple near Ankoli in Adilabad district on Tuesday.

ANKOLI (ADILABAD DT.): Contrary to popular belief, tribals also worry about the health of their children, especially during change of seasons. The approach of tribals towards the issue, however, may not be scientific.

Gond tribals of Chinchughat village in Adilabad mandal flocked to the new Mutyalbai or Mutyalavva temple near Ankoli village on Tuesday to pray for the health of their children. Gonds pay obeisance to the deity Mutyalbai, the `grama devata', only twice during the calendar year. The first one is when summer sets in earnestly in the first week of April and second during September when rainy season is rather on the wane.

Special occasion

"It is a special occasion for us. We cook food in the temple premises and spend almost the entire day here praying for the good health of our children," said Kumra Sham Rao, a Gond elder from Chinchughat.

The Gonds flock to the temple on the first Sunday followed by Tuesday and Thursday when consumption of meat is allowed. "Most of the tribals do not eat meat on other days of the week during this period," added Sham Rao.

The Mutyalavva temple is also famous among the thousands of devotees for getting their wishes granted.

Tribals believe that the goddess grants the wishes when appealed for sincerely.

It may be mentioned here that the new temple was constructed by a devotee from Adilabad town, who is said to have got his wish granted last year. The older temple was built a long time ago when the site had seen on the outskirts of Chittalbori village, which was presumably evacuated by tribals on the outbreak of some disease.

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