Flowers, fruits, sweets and milk are among the most preferred offerings to deities, but have you ever herd about crabs being offered to lord Shiva in a temple? Yes, you have heard that right. A video has surfaced on the internet in which worshippers can be seen offering crabs at a temple devoted to Lord Shiva in Surat, Gujarat.
The clip that has gone viral shows devotees standing around a Shivling at the temple and offering crabs one by one. The priest of the temple can also be seen helping them in making the offerings. The crabs that are offered by devotees to Lord Shiva at Ramnath Shiv Ghela temple in Surat, are later released into Tapi river after the ritual, reported news agency ANI.
According to the post shared by ANI on Twitter, the crabs are offered in the temple once a year. It is believed that making the offering cures ear related problems.
"Crabs are offered here once a year. We believe that by offering crabs here our children will not have any ear pain," said Pushpa, a devotee, according to ANI.
Since being shared on the micro-blogging site twitter, the video has amassed 43k views and 217 likes.
As per popular belief in these parts, a crab touched the feet of Lord Ram when he was near the Tapi river and was blessed by him, since then it is believed those offering live crabs at this temple would see wishes granted and get relief from pain.