I saw a couple of people
with chains on their hands and feet accompanied by family members. The chains
are put to ensure that they don't do any sort of harm or damage to themselves
and to the people around.
These people are normal
throughout the day, it’s only when they have to give Hajri then they tend to
get a bit violent. Hajri is given twice a day, once in the morning and the
second time in the afternoon. Violent is because the demons in them make them
do strange things.
There is no human for
e.g. a tantrik or priest involved. The Deities have a direct conversation with
the possessed. As per Mohsin this has always been the case. The people travel
from one shrine to another on foot. Once they are gathered at the first shrine,
Incence is showered on the people so that they can be cured of their mental sickness.
This process is followed at all shrines.
Mohsin also told me,
that the process of healing doesn't happen overnight. Some take months to heal,
other years. These people are given accommodation in one of the lodges in
Hussain Tekri. The accommodation and food cost is subsidized. These people
can't leave the premises until they are cured. If they wish to go then they
have to take permission from the managing committee. Though these people roam
freely in its premises they cannot stray outside. The power of the Shrines is
so strong that these people cannot leave until they are cured.
Satish told me that in
the villages people do black magic for ridiculous reasons. E.g. new house, new
vegetable cart etc... Due to which these poor people have to suffer, sometimes
for the rest of their lives. I don’t understand what sadistic pleasure they get
by doing these things. This is reality.
I saw a man there who
was possessed by the spirit of a Eunuch. A woman who was possessed by the
spirit of an acrobat. The lady was wearing a burka and doing acrobats. But
these activities happen only when they have to pay the Hajri. As that is the
time they come in direct contact with the Deities. Otherwise they are
normal just like you and me.
Apart from the shrines
Hussain Tekri also houses lodges and hotels who are frequently visited by
people.
Most of the people who
visit this place are poor villagers, who suffer due to black magic. They themselves
are not aware as to why black magic is done but they have to live with it till
they are cured of it.
Mohsin is a very spiritual
person and so he decided to pay all the shrines a visit. One by one we visited
all of them. The shrines are not open throughout the day. They are kept open
only when it is time for the Hajri. A huge crowd gathers in that time and after
that it soon disappears. Just wondering where they are coming from and where
they go.
I had a good time
enjoying the food here. Beef all the way. I started with breakfast, brunch,
lunch, evening snacks and then dinner. Food is so cheap here. I wish it was the
same in Mumbai. If wishes were horses, men would ride.
We then headed off
outside Jaora to see the shrines there. The next two shrines I am going to talk
about is the best part of the trip. That actually made my day.
