'In the dead of night, my wife suddenly awakens from a deep slumber, screaming. She speaks in a deep, masculine voice, sometimes laughing loudly, other times weeping. Her teeth clench as her head shakes, terrifying us. Her disheveled hair and blood-red eyes fill us with dread.'
'I have two young children who are petrified upon seeing their mother in such a state. They run away from her, unable to comprehend. God knows how many more terrifying nights lie ahead for them,' Pawan says, tears welling in his eyes.
This isn't just Pawan's story but echoes of countless others who visit the Mehandipur Balaji Temple in Rajasthan's Dausa district. For many who've lost everything to black magic and spirit possession, there's hope in appealing to Balaji Maharaj for salvation. From far and wide, every day individuals bring their pain here in search of relief.
Source: aajtak
Ramasiya Came from Gorakhpur and Stayed Here
Around 11 AM, Ramasiya, a 40-year-old slender man, was seen selling cucumbers on a cart a little away from the main building of Balaji. He arrived here around 8-9 months ago from Gorakhpur and has been compelled to stay ever since. 'A crisis brought me here. A spirit shadows me. I see spirits and have frequent fights. Everything was destroyed by dark forces. But I find solace here. I'm alive. If I leave, who knows what will happen.' He sighed deeply.
How did you know you were under a spirit's influence?
'We consulted a priest. We found out an enemy had cast a spirit upon me. Since then, my health has deteriorated. My head feels heavy. Even medicines don't work. Now, it's all in Balaji's hands.'
If you came for treatment, why did you start selling cucumbers?
'We're compelled to, sir. Balaji doesn't charge for treatment, but you still need arrangements for food and lodging. That's why I sell cucumbers to earn a living.'
Has there been any benefit from prayers and rituals at Balaji?
Certainly! The situation has improved significantly. I'm considering returning home. I'll visit once a year for prayers. For the first time, there was a smile on Ramasiya's face and hope of returning home. He continued, 'I miss my family a lot, including my three young children.'
In the Mehandipur Balaji Dham, three primary deities reside. First is Balaji Maharaj, believed to be in an awakened state here. The second is Pretraj and the third is Bhaironath, who dwell on the mountain.
A 17-Year-Old Girl from Haryana
On the same mountain, we encountered a family who had brought their 17-year-old daughter. Her innocent face bore signs of exhaustion from months without sleep. She's studying in 11th grade.
Her mother explained, 'She's been out of sorts for 3-4 months. She's become quite sluggish. Doctors say she'll be fine, but medicines have had no effect. That's why we're here,' she said, looking towards the deity, without elaborating. Fearful that their daughter's plight might become a public spectacle, she chose to remain silent.
Source: aajtak
Urmila from Kanpur
Urmila, 50, from Kanpur, has been coming here for nearly 20 years with her husband. 'I used to have terrible dreams and was always unwell. A spirit haunted me. But visiting here brought relief. We've been coming once or twice a year since then, and now I'm perfectly fine.'
What were your symptoms when you were unwell? Did you consult a doctor?
'Yes, I'd visit the doctor at the first sign of distress. My head would constantly ache, shoulders felt heavy, and my eyes would burn. I spent a fortune on medicines, son, but nothing worked. Finding shelter here transformed my life.'
What did neighbors or relatives say about your condition?
'Who helps in times of need? Everyone's in for themselves. Neighbors wouldn't even drink water at our house. Relatives turned their backs. We didn't attend any weddings or invite anyone over. It felt like being shunned by society. Whom could we complain to after all?'
Speech Suddenly Stopped, Spirits Wouldn’t Even Let Me Talk
Another woman, on condition of anonymity, shared her experience of her speech suddenly ceasing one day. Despite efforts, she couldn't speak and communicated through gestures. A local healer cured her, which marked the beginning of all these episodes.
Soon after, one night, she felt something overpowering her. Her shoulders felt heavy, and the headaches began. During seizures, she was unaware of her surroundings, screaming in a man's voice, as her family later explained.
Source: aajtak
During the seizures, she would scream, 'We will take her with us.' Her family was terrified. After that night, she frequently experienced spirit attacks. Every time, her voice changed dramatically, and her eyes turned so red that her family hesitated to even restrain her.
She would scream in a guttural voice, causing her entire family to tremble with fear. When they could make no sense of it, they sought peace at the Mehandipur Balaji Dham, where the woman reported significant improvements after many years of visits.
A Spirit Demanded Betel Leaves at Midnight, Threatened to Take Her Away
A woman from Madhya Pradesh’s Sagar district shared her harrowing story. Shortly after her 2022 marriage, she and her husband stopped by a shrine. Dressed as a new bride, she was drinking water when something changed when they returned home.
Her shoulders grew heavy and she felt immense head pain. Even after 'evil eye' remedies, her condition worsened. Her brother, accompanying her, recounted, 'Our first scare was at 2 AM when she sat silently on the edge of the bed. Her silence disturbed her husband, who asked why. After multiple attempts, she turned, glared with fearsome eyes, and screamed.'
Source: aajtak
'Her cries roused everyone, fearing this vision of the new bride. Surrounded by family, they witnessed her speaking with two different voices, demanding betel leaves. Before that, she'd never had one,' her brother continued.
'No betel shops were open, so she next wanted sweetened yellow balls. Upon eating, she collapsed. Post-collapse, her condition deteriorated, perpetually demanding betel leaves, and crying at her newly-made red-chews marks.'
Each return to consciousness brought body pain — overwhelming heaviness. After persistent agony, she began her pilgrimage to the Mehandipur Balaji Temple for alleviation. Now, there's much improvement, save for occasional shoulder heaviness and headaches.
Many testimonials recounting spirit affliction and seeking solace at Mehandipur had been heard here. To understand the symptoms scientifically, we spoke to Dr. Satyakant Trivedi, Sr. Consultant Psychiatrist at Bhopal’s Bansal Hospital.
Do Spirits Truly Possess Humans?
Dr. Satyakant firmly states no scientific basis supports such beliefs; they are mere superstition. Science rests on logic and proof, having no room for spiritual possession. Sightings or feelings of spirits in dreams lack scientific merit.
For generations, cultural narratives drive such beliefs, categorized as “Culture-Bound Syndrome.” Psychologically, what manifests as “spirit possession” often indicates Dissociative Disorders, where one feels externally controlled. “Psychosis” presents similar symptoms.
Can Changing Voices, Head Nodding, or Physical Strength Be a Multi-Personality Disorder?
Dr. Satyakant notes such symptoms may signify Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) — experiencing distinct personalities, which might interchange. Childhood trauma or internal conflicts might be underlying causes. Scientific examination suggests possible psychiatric or neurological disorders linked to DID, free from religious or mystic systems. Mental health or neurological specialists can better help patients scientifically.
Reported Headaches, Fevers, and Shoulder Pains Are Common; No Drug Efficacy. What Does Science Say?
Dr. Satyakant identifies this as “Psychosomatic Disorders,” where mental issues surface as physical symptoms. With causes rooted in mental health, traditional drugs offer little relief, leading individuals to believe their condition resists treatment.
This often steers individuals toward magical remedies, contrary to proper medical advice. Consult mental health specialists, engage in counseling or cognitive behavioral therapy to find scientifically-backed solutions.
Why Are Women Predominantly Seen at Mehandipur for Spirit Rituals? The Priests Claim Mental Weakness Compared to Men.
Dr. Satyakant refutes this unscientific claim, as studies display equal susceptibility to mental illnesses regardless of gender. Depression, anxiety, and dissociative disorders may appear more often in women, often due to social dynamics.
Our familial system often leaves women feeling repressed, limiting expression, and leaving few confidants. They are seldom consulted on economic or household matters, nurturing latent internal struggles and affecting mental health.
Given Its Alleged Mental Nature, Why Do People Claim Spirit Release at Religious Places; Does It Work?
Dr. Satyakant attributes this to a placebo effect at religious sites. Individuals, convinced of malevolent spiritual forces, may feel temporary relief from participating in divine rituals. Distancing oneself from superstition and turning to mental health experts offers credible resolution solutions.
