A peek into the sacred Indian ritual believed to bring fertility to childless couples
Hundreds of women gathered in Tamil Nadu's Tiruvannamalai district to take part in an age-old fertility ritual at the Paradise Sithar Temple in Sethupattu, an event held annually on the sacred day of Adi Amavasai.
The ritual, believed to boost chances of conception, is especially popular among childless couples seeking divine intervention.
“Every year, this event is celebrated on Adi Amavasai day to commemorate the death anniversary of Paradesi Sithar. The highlight of this event is the highest number of childless couples who come here to participate in the ritual. This year, around 1,500 have participated in the event,” said Paramanandham, a local resident.
The ceremony includes women eating “blessed” food placed on the floor, and a symbolic act where temple priests, believed to be temporarily possessed by the goddess Angaarmoti, step over the women’s backs to offer spiritual blessings.
“Trust is the key to success. People who come here with the belief are seeing success. I see this practically every year,” Paramanandham told Viory.
Several couples shared personal stories of their struggles with infertility. “There is a belief that if you visit this temple on Adi Amavasai day and eat rice on the floor, then you will be blessed with a child. So we have come here because we heard about this from others,” said one hopeful couple.
Another added, “This is the first time we are coming here. We believe that we will come here with a child next year. Those who have come here in the past are saying they have been blessed with a child after visiting this temple.”
One couple, married for 13 years without children, shared their emotional journey, saying that, “We struggled a lot in our life. We are so sad, as everyone keeps asking us why we don’t have children. We see recently married couples having a child in a year, but even after 13 years we still don't have a child. So we have come here with the hope.”
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
