It was just another morning for Mehrunisa, a resident of Ghaziabad, till she got to know that a tree located behind Jama Masjid is exuding water. The water, it was said, had "miraculous powers". Immediately, Mehrunisa drove to the site, with five other family members, including two kids.
"I was amazed to know that suddenly the old tree is oozing water, and since it's located behind the Jama Masjid it must be having special powers. My family has genetic eye problems, that's why we have come here. Who knows, this water may cure the disease," said Mehrunisa. She later washed her children's eyes with the water she collected from the tree.
Wednesday saw yet another scene of myth overtaking rationality. A 'gular'tree located behind Jama Masjid, which according to locals was chopped off about 10 feet from the ground, had started oozing water. The news spreadvery quickly, and hundreds of people from far-flung places gathered at the site for that one drop of 'magical'water. Some even moistened cotton to get drops from the tree's bark. Others went further, taking off whole sections of bark for the desperately-sought water.
Magic stories did the rounds, growing with every telling. Some claimed the water can heal joint pain, including arthritis, others said it would correct failing eyesight, and for some it was the cure for skin diseases. Yet others swore it was the fountain of youth, and would make anyone young.
In no way did the location of the tree behind Jama Masjid keep Hindus from thronging the site: the miracle grew secular as it expanded. Said Kavita Gupta, who came with three other family members: "I am 40 and I want to look young, and many people here claim that this water can do that. I have applied it on the face and have even got a few drops in the eyes. If it works, it will be magic."
Salim, a resident of Bhajanpura, came with a chronic skin allergy, and hope. "I have taken a lot of medicines to cure the allergy, but nothing has been helpful. My nails and skin of areas exposed to sun peel off on its own. I have full faith that this water can cure the illness," he said.
Another visitor from Faridabad, Rajni Sinha, said: "I have rheumatic pain for the past eight years. I have done all types of treatment available but to no cure. I just wish this magic works."
"I was amazed to know that suddenly the old tree is oozing water, and since it's located behind the Jama Masjid it must be having special powers. My family has genetic eye problems, that's why we have come here. Who knows, this water may cure the disease," said Mehrunisa. She later washed her children's eyes with the water she collected from the tree.
Wednesday saw yet another scene of myth overtaking rationality. A 'gular'tree located behind Jama Masjid, which according to locals was chopped off about 10 feet from the ground, had started oozing water. The news spreadvery quickly, and hundreds of people from far-flung places gathered at the site for that one drop of 'magical'water. Some even moistened cotton to get drops from the tree's bark. Others went further, taking off whole sections of bark for the desperately-sought water.
Magic stories did the rounds, growing with every telling. Some claimed the water can heal joint pain, including arthritis, others said it would correct failing eyesight, and for some it was the cure for skin diseases. Yet others swore it was the fountain of youth, and would make anyone young.
In no way did the location of the tree behind Jama Masjid keep Hindus from thronging the site: the miracle grew secular as it expanded. Said Kavita Gupta, who came with three other family members: "I am 40 and I want to look young, and many people here claim that this water can do that. I have applied it on the face and have even got a few drops in the eyes. If it works, it will be magic."
Salim, a resident of Bhajanpura, came with a chronic skin allergy, and hope. "I have taken a lot of medicines to cure the allergy, but nothing has been helpful. My nails and skin of areas exposed to sun peel off on its own. I have full faith that this water can cure the illness," he said.
Another visitor from Faridabad, Rajni Sinha, said: "I have rheumatic pain for the past eight years. I have done all types of treatment available but to no cure. I just wish this magic works."
