Rajkot: Targadi village in Paddhari taluka of Rajkot district will mark Kali Chaudas at its crematorium on Nov 7 with a series of unusual activities aimed at dispelling fear and superstitions associated with black magic, ghosts and spirits.The event, organised by the Gujarat Vigyan Jatha, will begin at 8 pm and continue until late at night. This day is traditionally linked to occult practices and supernatural fears.The organisers have planned a procession featuring representations of ghosts and spirits, a torchlight march and the symbolic funeral procession of black magic. Women will carry the bier to demonstrate that such practices and associated fears have no scientific basis. The symbolic bier will subsequently be cremated at the crematorium.In another unconventional activity, tea will be prepared on the bier and served to participants. People will also eat vada and bhajiya at the crematorium, using the occasion to challenge the fear associated with food offerings and ritual practices traditionally linked to spirits and supernatural forces.According to Jatha’s chairman and advocate Jayant Pandya, the programme seeks to counter centuries-old misconceptions about Kali Chaudas, including beliefs surrounding ghosts, evil spirits, witchcraft and occult rituals.
