A baby girl born in the Indian village of Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, with a trunk-like growth between her eyes is being revered and worshipped by locals who believe she is a female reincarnation of the Hindu god Ganesha. The girl, who was born on March 26, is being considered a divine child and has been given the name Lord Ganapatni, which refers to Ganesha’s wife.
“My sister-in-law gave birth to a girl at 7 a.m. and her face looks exactly like Lord Ganesha. Everybody is saying she is an incarnation of the God,” the baby's aunt Rajani told the media. “This is why whoever hears about her is coming here to get a glimpse of the baby and are making whatever offerings possible.”
The girl’s father is a vegetable vendor, who earns not more than Rs 250 a day and he hopes his daughter’s birth will bring good luck to the poor family. While three of her older siblings are healthy with no physical deformities, doctors say the youngest of the lot suffers from a particular genetic mutation that is caused by pollution and malnutrition.
People from across the state and faraway places have swarmed the modest household to have a single glimpse of the baby. News of her deformity spread like wildfire as more women and children from neighbouring villages gathered to sing songs and dance in order to celebrate her birth.
Neelam, one of the many visitors, said she was privileged to have seen the divine baby in person.
“I believe this baby is an incarnation of Lord Ganesha and hence I have come here. I feel very peaceful having come here,” she said.
According to doctors, if the family so wishes, they can opt for a corrective surgery for the girl at a later stage in her life.
Photo Credits: Flickr
