Kumarambheem Asifabad: At Kanchanpalli village of Lingapur mandal in Kumarambheem Asifabad district, married women who fail to conceive swallow a lit lamp made of cooked rice. They believe that this will please their gods and goddesses to bless them with children.
A senior Adivasi leader said, “The unique tradition of Kanchanpalli came into existence with the influence of non-tribals settled in the Agency Area.”
Those who participate in the special ritual —whether young or old —draw white lines on their shoulders and hands which is not a tribal culture. The ritual of swallowing the rice lamp takes place on the day of ‘Petramasa’ during the rainy season every year. The Petramasa is the last day of Amavasya in the rainy season.
Six married childless women took part in the ritual held at the village headman’s house this year.
Mr Kanaka Jyotiram, the sarpanch of Kanchanpalli village, said, “They have been practising the ritual for a long time. The strong wish of the women to have children is behind this unique tradition. It is being practised only in Kanchanpalli.”
