Date:22/08/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/08/22/stories/2006082210700500.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Anantapur

Idols in Tadipatri area `drink' milk

Staff Reporter

JVV says it is a routine occurrence of science

An activist of JVV offering milk to an idol at Anantapur on Monday to explain the phenomenon of idols in temples `drinking' milk as scientific .

ANANTAPUR: The phenomenon of idols of gods in temples "drinking" milk has reached Tadipatri in the district, down south from far north in just one day. Devotees, believers and curious public made a beeline to a few temples in Tadipatri and Peddapappur in the district on Monday to witness the "rare occurrence" for some and "god's power" for some others.

It all started first in Poleramma temple located near vegetable market in Chinna Bazar in the morning. The idol of the goddess had sucked the milk offered by a devotee in a spoon. The incident spread like wildfire and devotees started offering milk to idols in other temples too.

Similar events

The same thing happened in Kanyakaparameshwari temple in Main Bazar and several other temples in Tadipatri town as well as surrounding areas. People thronged temples in large numbers either to offer milk or to witness the phenomenon. Similar phenomenon was also reported from Yadiki and Pedda Pappur mandals.

Meanwhile, Jana Vignana Vedika (JVV), a forum for popularising science among people, termed it a routine occurrence of science. The JVV activists even exhibited such a phenomenon in the busy Tower Clock circle here in the evening to explain the people about what could have happened in the temples. They brought an elephant's idol made of brick and cement and offered milk to it in a spoon. As the curious onlookers watched, the milk in the spoon was emptied. State convenor of JVV sub-committee on health M. Geyanand explained it as scientific phenomenon called capillarity, the tendency of a liquid in a narrow tube or pore to rise or fall as a result of surface tension. The solids, of which the idols were made of, would absorb the liquids like milk, kerosene or water when they would come in contact with each other due to capillarity. "It gives an impression that the liquid is being sucked in by the idols. But, it is actually an illusion as the absorbed liquid evaporates immediately", Dr. Geyanand explained. There was nothing supernatural in the phenomenon he said and suggested the people to take it only as "fun".