Daijiworld Media Network - Kaup (SP)

Kaup, Mar 25: On Tuesday March 24 evening, people got busy preparing a concoction of tea leaves boiled in water, and by adding jaggery and turmeric to it, after WhatsApp message which went viral claimed that Goddess Mari, during the Maripuja at Kaup, had prescribed the above medicine to ward off coronavirus ill-effects. Soon another batch of rumours said that Goddess Kamakshi Devi at Shiroda temple, Goa, had asked the devotees to prepare and consume the concoction with the above ingredients.

Soon WhatsApp messages attributed to Hale Marigudi Kaup management surfaced, which said that the above information was wrong. The Maripuja scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday was cancelled at the last minute at the behest of the district administration.

Deputy commissioner G Jagadeesha

People who were anxious to get rid of coronavirus malady, lapped up the above information and eagerly consumed the elixir.

Marigudi management later issued a clarification, saying that the above message was baseless as the Darshana Seva during which the Goddess is said to have prescribed the above remedy did not take place on Tuesday afternoon as claimed, and that at the night Darshan too there was no message from the Goddess about coronavirus.

Executive officer of Hosa Marigudi at Kaup, Prashanth Kumar Shetty, asked the people not to rely on this false information. He said that it has been decided to file complaint in Kaup police station against the rumour mongers.

Udupi district deputy commissioner G Jagadeesha, who visited Kaup on Tuesday evening to supervise lockdown status and cancellation of Maripuja, instructed the police to take strict action against rumour mongers who are playing with the sentiments and beliefs of the common people.