Image courtesy: New Indian Express

Some women in Assam have now started worshiping the deadly novel coronavirus as a ‘goddess’ in a bid to to get rid of the deadly COVID-19 disease.

Earlier similar puja was done in Jharkhand.

A large number of women in different districts of Assam, for the past few days, worshipped the coronavirus as a ‘goddess’ or ‘Corona Maa’.

They believe that it is the only way to put an end of the deadly COVID-19 pandemic.

Also read: Assam COVID19 update: 155 more test positive, state count rises to 2,681

In places like Biswanath Chariali and Darrang district and even in Guwahati, women, in some places accompanied by men too, have been performing ‘Corona Devi Puja’ on the bank of the rivers or in temples and under big trees.

In order to apease ‘Corona Maa’, some women in Biswanath district of northern Assam, kept day-long fast.

They believe if the ‘Corona God’ is satisfied with their ‘puja’, COVID-19 would be eliminated.

Last week, a large number of women gathered in different places of Jharkahand along with puja materials like sindoor (vermilion), flowers, ladoos and water in pots.

The women sat under the trees and worshipped the ‘Coronavirus goddess’.

On the contrary, a state Health department official said they have to intensify their awareness campaign against such superstitious beliefs.

Besides the Health Department, police and Social Welfare departments and many NGOs in Assam are conducting awareness programme against the COVID-19 pandemic.