Madurai: In the name of rituals, bare-chested minor girls 'worshipped' like goddesses

In a bizarre and weird incident, several girls decked up like goddesses were made to participate bare-chested at a festival in Vellalur in Tamil Nadu's Madurai district.

This ritual that takes place annually, witnesses scores of adolescent girls dressed up in a similar style with no upper garments and being paraded in front of the Yezhaikaatha Amman Temple at Vellalur.

In a video released by The Covai Post, seven girls decked up like goddesses, with only jewellery to cover their chest were seen carrying paddy baskets on their head, which they offer to the temple priest.

They spend 15 days in the care of a male priest as part of the annual ritual. Only girls who haven't reached puberty are sent to the temple.

Following the report of the bizarre temple ritual, local authorities stepped in and issued orders that the girls must be allowed to cover their bodies.

Meanwhile, Madurai collector K. Veera Raghava Rao issued directions to ensure that the girls are not harassed or abused. He, however, made it clear that the ancient old village ritual would not be stopped stating that parents voluntarily send their girls to the temple.