Hundreds of locals are gathering at luni Mathia village under Petachela panchayat in Mahakalapada block of Kendrapada district ever since news spread that milk-like liquid was oozing from a neem tree.
Believing it to be a miracle, locals have transformed the neem tree at one Sukul Majhi’s garden to an object of worship. Considering the liquid to be holy, villagers from nearby villages are queuing up to offer prayers with incense sticks, wicker lamps and flowers as offering.
The liquid, which has been coming out of the tree for the last six days, is considered as God’s “Charanamrit” by the locals, who are taking it as Prasad and claiming it to be sweet in taste.
“This is nothing but God’s wonder. Resin oozes from a neem tree, but here milk is coming out. Even leaves of this neem tree taste sweet,” said a priest, who is now in charge of the tree.
locals believe that the tree could be anyone of the trio, lord Jagannath, lord Balabhadra or Devi Subhadra, who has appeared at their village.