Devotees offer living crabs to Lord Shiva at a temple in Gujarat

Gujarat: India is probably the most culturally dynamic country in the world, where religion plays the most important role. Besides offering flowers at temples the devotees at Gujarat's Ramnath Shiv Ghela temple offers something more and surprisingly, its living crabs. On Saturday, hundreds of devotees offered living crabs to Lord Shiva at Ramnath Shiv Ghela temple in Umra.  

Surat: Devotees offer crabs to Lord Shiva at Ramnath Shiv Ghela temple in Umra; devotees say, 'it helps them in their well-being & cures ear-related ailments' #Gujarat pic.twitter.com/5AWpTJ8hvC

— ANI (@ANI) January 13, 2018

It is an age-old tradition at this temple. Devotees believe that this will bring good luck to them and will fulfill their wishes. Some believe that offering crabs will also bring good health and will help them especially with diseases related to the ear. The tradition is followed particularly in the month of Makara Sankranti, every year. The myth behind this tradition It is said that Lord 'Rama' was once elated by the crab as it swept on his feet by a wave along with other sea creatures. Following this, he blessed him to be an integral part of divine worship. The temple authority usually collects all the offered crabs and then releases them into the sea nearby.