Where visiting cards are offered to connect to God

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2010/20100202/j&k.htm#1

Where visiting cards are offered to connect to God
Jupinderjit Singh
Tribune News Service

Patnitop, February 1
Visiting cards are not for this world only. Some use these to connect to God. At Baba Gumah Nag Mandir in Patnitop, thousands of visiting cards are tagged on grills, gates and trees of the ancient temple of an “ichhadhaari nag” (a mystical form-changing snake) with a belief that God will fulfil the wishes of devotees.

Many who don’t have visiting cards write their names and addresses on pieces of paper, including envelopes, available there, along with their special wishes.

“Those whose wishes are granted return for thanksgiving and remove the visiting cards as well as the letters to God. This is done to make way for others to put the cards,” explained Raj Kumar, temple priest.

The trend began five or six years ago, he revealed.“It probably started when a devotee put his visiting card with a wish written on it. Soon, others followed and many returned to say their wishes had been fulfilled”, he said.

Doctors, engineers,teachers, bank managers and some journalists have also tagged their cards. At first, it looks like a marketing gimmick. But when one finds “chunris” attached, one realises the extent of belief.

A devotee from Rajasthan wants to own a shop. He pleads:“Please help me in my business so that I can become the owner of a shop”.There is another insurance agent from ICICI Prudential who wants to become the best employee with the maximum policies. Though most of the wishes are related to jobs, a few are regarding the male child.

Legend has that an “ichhadhari nag” used to live in the jungles of Patnitop.He often came to the temple in the garb of a saint known as Baba Gumah and disappeared after granting the wishes of the devotees.

For some, the legend is 10-century-old while for rationalists, this is nothing but mumbo jumbo and superstition.