People in Gorakhpur offer prayers to cure chicken pox
By ANISunday, April 25, 2010
GORAKHPUR - Locals in Uttar Pradesh’s Gorakhpur District are flocking a temple to offer prayers to a Hindu deity as they believe the wrath of the Goddess has led to an outbreak of chickenpox in the region.
The disease has affected one person in each family of Chargavaan Block, but locals are not undergoing any treatment.
Instead, superstitious people of the area believe that by paying reverence to the Goddess Sheetala, the disease can be cured.
“If we eat medicines Goddess will be angry…We are worshipping the Goddess… Every-day we offer water to appease her,” said Prabhu.
The area has reportedly witnessed 50-60 cases of chicken pox in last three months, but officials denied there was an outbreak of chickenpox.
“No, no, no. What are you saying? 50 cases of chicken pox, no, no. The day I came to know about the outbreak I sent officers from the head office,” said R N Mishra, Chief Medical Officer, Gorakhpur city.
Every year hundreds of people in the Gorakhpur region are taken ill, particularly due to waterborne diseases around the rainy season. By Pavan Kumar Shah (ANI)
