Weird and dangerous things take place in some parts of the State during the Govardhan Puja celebrations in the name of traditional rituals. In one such ritual, many people gathered at Bhidawad in Ujjain to get run over by herds of cows, while buffalo fights took place in Bhopal and other parts of the State.
Tradition once again took centre stage at Bhidawad in Ujjain when people were trampled by cows. This bizarre Hindu traditional ritual is being practised for many centuries on a day after Diwali where scores of people gathered at Bhidawad to get run over by herds of cows decorated with colours and henna in different patterns as a part of ritual to get their wishes fulfilled.
For this rare event, villagers decorated their cattle with colours and henna in different patterns. later, they get run over by their livestock in the belief their prayers would be answered. Hundreds of villagers witnessed the event in which men wearing garlands lay on the streets as herds of cows literally trampled them. locals claim no one has ever got hurt during this ritual that is believed to bring prosperity to the village.
A similar ritual involving buffaloes was observed in Bhopal, the State's capital, on the same day. A huge crowd of locals witnessed the buffalo fight. This is an event practiced by the Yadav community whose prime occupation is to rear cows and buffaloes and to sell milk.
Prior to the event, buffaloes are worshipped as part of 'Govardhan Puja', which is observed a day after Diwali. After the worship, the animals are made to consume alcohol or toddy (grog from the palm trees) and then prodded to lock horns.
Spectators were seen cheering and clapping, anticipating an entertaining duel, when the specially reared animals were brought to the arena on an expansive field.