Coronavirus rumours grip Odisha village; people throng Shiva temple 

Nabarangpur: With coronavirus scare gripping people all over the world, people in some rural parts of Odisha have stated adopting superstitious practices so as to keep them safe from the deadly virus.

Reportedly, residents of Aunli village under Papadahandi block in Nabarangpur district started making a beeline to a Shiva temple in the wee hours today to perform puja to keep the highly infectious bug at bay.

The rumour has it that couple having single child would perform puja at the Shiva temple at the village; else lives of the family members will be at stake. Soon after the rumour spread, families having single child walked around two kilometres to a Shiva temple at Maidalpur village and the air reverberated with chants and ululation. Influenced by the rumour, people of Maidalpur village followed suit.

Yesterday in Keonjhar district, thousands of women thronged a Shani temple in Puruna Bazaar area to perform a special puja for coronavirus.  As per the rumour, mothers having single child would collect Rs 5 each from seven mothers having twin children and the total amount was offered to the god.