In a stunning display of deeply rooted tribal beliefs, a peculiar incident from Patraguda village has catapulted Odisha’s Koraput district into the social media spotlight.
Two young men were declared ‘dead while alive’ by their community after reportedly witnessing crows mating—a sight considered an ominous harbinger of death in local folklore.
Located just 10 kilometres from the Koraput District Headquarters, the village was gripped by panic as the community, adhering to age-old superstitions, carried out elaborate post-death rituals. The youths were laid out on bamboo stretchers, surrounded by grieving relatives performing purification rites, all in an effort to “avert death” from befalling them.
The ceremonies were bizarre yet solemn, resembling actual funerals, before a dramatic reversal brought the ‘deceased’ back home as part of a ritualistic resurrection—a practice steeped in symbolic denial of impending doom.
Footage of the event, which quickly went viral, has triggered national conversations on the persistence of blind faith amidst scientific progress. While some view it as a reflection of cultural identity, others condemn it as regressive and dangerous.
Experts and social commentators urge sensitisation efforts and dialogue to bridge tradition with modern understanding, especially in tribal regions. The incident, though surreal, serves as a compelling reminder: superstition still lives, even as India races towards digital empowerment.
