If a thorn pricks our finger, we groan but there are some villages in Betul where people lie naked on thorns in the name of faith. Due to the tradition of superstition in the village, people give exams by lying on thorns even in the 21st century.
If a thorn pricks our finger, we groan but there are some villages in Betul where people lie naked on thorns in the name of faith. Due to the tradition of superstition in the village, people give exams by lying on thorns even in the 21st century. Even today a painful game is being played here in the name of faith. The people of the Razzaad community, who call themselves descendants of the Pandavas, happily lie on a bed of thorns to get their wishes fulfilled and to bid farewell to their sister. Every year in Betul's Sehra village, the people of the Razzaad community follow this tradition during the month of Agahan.
While following this tradition, these people say that we are the descendants of the Pandavas. The Pandavas had tested truth in a similar way by lying on thorns, that is why the Razzaad community has been following this tradition for years.
Know the whole story
The story behind this belief is that once the Pandavas were wandering for water. After a long time, they saw a person from the Nahal community. The Pandavas asked Nahal where they would find water in these forests. But before telling the source of water, Nahal put a condition in front of the Pandavas. Nahal said that after telling the source of water, he would have to get his sister married to a Bhil. The Pandavas did not have any sister. So the Pandavas made a girl named Bhondai their sister and got her married to Nahal with full rituals. At the time of departure, Nahal asked the Pandavas to test their truthfulness by lying on thorns. On this, all the Pandavas lay down on the thorns one by one and happily bid farewell to their sister with Nahal.
Tradition from generations
That is why the people of the Rajjad community call themselves descendants of the Pandavas and take exams by lying on thorns. This tradition has been going on for fifty generations. The people of the community are very enthusiastic while performing it. Children also participate enthusiastically in performing this tradition and lie on a bed full of thorns. By doing this, they celebrate sending their sister off to her in-laws' house. This program lasts for five days and ends on the last day by lying on a bed of thorns.