In a case of alleged self-sacrifice out of superstitious devotion, two people jumped onto a ritualistic fire lighted in connection with Maha Sivaratri festival at a remote village in Andhra Pradesh's Adilabad district.
Devidas (23) and Sitaram (30) had been observing 'Siva Deeksha,' a religious vow for a period of 40 days, and they jumped onto the fire during 'jagran' (a ritual of remaining awake during the night of Sivaratri) at Shivnoor village in Jainoor mandal of the district late on Monday night, police officials told PTI over phone.
The two were farmers by profession and were ardent devotees of Lord Shiva and chanted his name always. They initiated about 12 others, including their children, into 'Siva Deeksha', they said.
The two men had been conducting 'bhajans' in a cotton field on the outskirts of Shivnoor during nights and were coming home for only basic needs.
Devidas and Sitaram reportedly told their parents on Monday that they would either return home with Lord Shiva or go to him, police said.
They sent away all other devotees to another place last night so that they could remain undisturbed.
{{/usCountry}}They sent away all other devotees to another place last night so that they could remain undisturbed.
{{/usCountry}}The duo then jumped onto the ritualistic fire after tying themselves together with a piece of cloth, police said.
The two men were charred to death and the incident came to light after dawn.
A post-mortem was conducted and further investigation was on, police added.