Devotee Allegedly Cuts Off Tongue as Offering to Lord Hanuman in Odisha Temple
A shocking incident of extreme devotion unfolded at a temple in Odisha's Jagatsinghpur district, where a 55-year-old man allegedly severed his own tongue and offered it to Lord Hanuman. The gruesome act occurred on Wednesday night, sending waves of panic through temple priests and local residents who witnessed the aftermath.
Details of the Temple Incident
The incident took place in Nuagaon village, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Abhayachandapur police station. According to police reports, the devotee was discovered unconscious in a pool of blood on the temple premises shortly after performing the act. Temple authorities immediately alerted local law enforcement upon making the distressing discovery.
The injured devotee has been identified as Nehru Mallick, a 55-year-old resident of Kabalapur village. He was initially rushed to the community health centre (CHC) at Balikuda for emergency treatment. Due to the severity of his injuries, he was subsequently transferred to the district headquarters hospital in Jagatsinghpur, where medical officials describe his condition as serious.
Motivation Behind the Extreme Act
According to family members, Mallick believed that sacrificing his tongue would fulfill his wishes and prayers. A relative named Arakhita Mallick revealed that Nehru had shared with family members that he experienced a dream in which Lord Hanuman demanded his tongue in exchange for granting his prayers.
"He apparently believed that such a sacrifice would please the deity and result in his prayers being answered," explained the relative, describing the motivation behind the extreme act of devotion.
Sequence of Events at the Temple
Police investigation has revealed that Nehru Mallick arrived at the temple on Wednesday evening as part of his regular devotional practice. Witnesses reported that he performed traditional rituals and prostrated himself before the Hanuman idol inside the sanctum sanctorum for approximately thirty minutes.
It was during this period of intense devotion that he allegedly produced a knife and used it to sever his own tongue, according to preliminary police findings. The act resulted in immediate severe pain and traumatic shock, causing him to collapse shortly after performing the self-mutilation.
Police Investigation and Community Impact
Local authorities have launched a comprehensive investigation into the incident. Samir Rout, the Inspector-in-Charge of Abhayachandapur police station, confirmed that Nehru Mallick was a regular visitor to the temple and that police are examining all aspects of the case.
"We are investigating all possible angles, including the psychological state of the individual and any external influences that might have contributed to this extreme act," stated Rout. The incident has left the local community in shock, with temple priests and regular devotees struggling to comprehend the severity of the self-sacrifice.
The case highlights the complex intersection of deep religious faith and psychological factors that can sometimes manifest in extreme behaviors. Medical professionals are closely monitoring Mallick's condition while authorities continue their investigation into the circumstances surrounding this disturbing temple incident.
