GRSJ224/Relevance Of Baby Tossing In Todays World

Baby Tossing is an Indian Ritual where infants under the age of 2 years, are shook a little by the priest and then dropped from a 30 to 50 feet shrine or mosque. This ritual is celebrated once a year where around 200 infants are tossed and this takes place in the first week of December. It is practiced by Hindus and Muslims in rural regions of Maharashtra and Karnataka states in India. Example: Baba Umer Dargah

Seven Hundred Years Back

The Baby Tossing ritual was started almost seven hundred years back when the infant mortality rate was high.

Reason

This Ritual started for ailing, dying children and the peoples trust and belief in the almighty. The parents of ailing babies who were dying were suggested by a saint to build a shrine and throw their ailing baby from the roof. If they truly believed and trusted in the almighty, a hammock-like sheet would appear in mid-air for their safety.

Recent Times

Since the past few years, the Baby Tossing Ritual is celebrated where a priest shakes the baby a few times and then drops it down from a 30 to 50 feet shrine and a group of men are standing down holding a sheet for the safe landing of the baby. If the baby lands safely, the crowd and relatives of the baby celebrate, sing and dance and pass each infant around before returning them to their mother.

Reasons

• The villagers believe that the ritual brings good luck and a long life for the child.
• Couples participate in this ritual in the hope that they will be blessed with children.
• People that participate in this ritual believe that it ensures good health and prosperity for them.