Tradition of letting cows step on people for good luck in India

Indians believe that letting cows step on people during the Diwali festival of lights will bring good luck throughout the year.

This tradition, which is considered unique and strange by many tourists around the world, takes place in Bhidavad village, Madhya Pradesh state. On the morning after Diwali, which falls on November 12 this year, people lie down on the ground to let cows pass by. These cows have all participated in a worship ritual of the people before. People believe that 330 million gods reside in cows, so the person who is stepped on by a cow will receive blessings from the gods.

Rituals of letting buffaloes trample people for good luck in India — Ritual of cows stepping over people. Video : *ANI*

Participants in the tradition must follow another strict ritual: fasting for five days and staying overnight at the village temple the day before Diwali.

On the second day of Diwali, after performing a ritual to worship the gods, people beat drums and take a circuit around the village. During this time, the cows of the village are gathered in one place. People start lying down, the animals are released and trample on the lying people to go.

As the herd of cows passed by, the devotees stood up and danced to the beat of the drums, creating a lively atmosphere throughout the village. People from neighboring villages and tourists also came to witness this tradition. They also cheered and applauded enthusiastically.

Many people are concerned about the lack of safety when cows trample people. However, so far no believers have been seriously injured, according to local people.

Diwali in India is a national holiday, also known as the Festival of Lights because people have the custom of lighting oil lamps with cloth wicks (dipas) to celebrate the victory of Lord Krishna over Narakasura, the symbol of good over evil. On Diwali night, Hindus wear their best clothes and light lamps inside and outside their homes. Family members and close friends often socialize and exchange gifts on this day. In the evening, they will hold a separate prayer ceremony for the Hindu goddess Lakshmi, the symbol of luck and prosperity. The festival usually lasts for 5 days, attracting millions of visitors every year.

This year, Indians flocked to the banks of the Saryu River on the night of November 11 in Ayodhya state to light more than 2.2 million earthen oil lamps, setting a Guinness record for the largest number of lamps lit during the Festival of Lights, according to AP.

More than 2.2 million lights were lit in Ayodhya state on the night of November 11 during the Diwali festival. Photo: AP

There are five popular destinations in India where tourists can experience the festival of lights: the city on the banks of the Ganges, Varanisi, the Pink City of Jaipur, Goa, Kolkata, Mysore. "Whether you are a tourist looking to learn about Indian culture or simply want to experience the magic of Diwali, these destinations promise a memorable and dazzling adventure," writes the India Express .

Anh Minh (According to AP, NDTV )

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