The Pearls of Catharsis Times Issue 04, July 2017 | Page 74

like a maniac! Got goosebumps already? Fret not! This land of golden
deserts and colourfully-cladded women is also a home to a temple to
vanquish all the bhoots and chudails! Mehandipur Balaji Mandir in Dausa is
revered for exorcism and ritualistic healing. Now, you need a heart of steel
for visiting this place. Instead of tinkling bells and recitation of bhajans, this
shrine welcomes you with blood-curdling shrieks of people. The supposedly
possessed men and women can be spotted somersaulting or banging their
heads on rocks and pillars. This is the only place in India where live
exorcism takes place. Also, it’s strictly prohibited to devour any prasaad
from this temple. You ought to drop all the offerings including the ‘black-
balls’ given in the name of prasad, in the ceremonial pyre. Here, kids are
beaten and chained by the pandits to ward-off dark spirits from their bodies.
Also, never..ever..ever.. turn back once you leave this temple!
So the next time you find people moon-walking down the stairs like in
Exorcist, floating in air or just speaking in heavy dual voices like in those
clichéd horror flicks, you know where to head to!
-Ankita Ghoshal
Lynn H.Terry