It’s unbelievable but true! A family of French nationals has learnt to says “Ram-Ram” or “Sitaram” with folded hands when they greet people in UP’s village temple complex. This family from Toulouse in France have travelled through 22 countries prior to entering India. The family is headed by Mr. Patrice Pailllares and includes his wife Virginie, daughters Ophelie, Lola and son Tom. They were about to enter Nepal when the lockdown was announced. They were forced to break their journey in Singhorwa village in Maharajganj district due to the coronavirus lockdown. They arrived here on March 21 and is now living in their Caravan van near a village temple adjoining Laxmipur forest. The temple has statues of Lord Shiva, Ganeshji and Hanumanji. In France, Patrick is associated with the pharmacy service.
Every morning, this family chants “Holy Mantra’s” and participate in pooja rituals performed in temple. The family has developed Interest in vegetarianism instead of non-vegetarian. Such is the faith in the Lord Shiva, family has made up their mind to worship Lord Shiva even after returning back to France. Now, they have a faith that Baba Bholenath, Ganeshji and Hanumanji will drive away Corona.
The lockdown has changed the lifestyle of the family. After taking their morning bath, they spend their time in temple. Entire family sit with priest and perform all pooja rituals and participate in aarti. They plead with lord Shiva to drive away corona by chanting Om Namah Shivay. The family’s chant is absolutely sound and clear. They are so engrossed in their chanting and is now getting cast in Indian culture. They intend to spend their entire lockdown period here and move to Nepal after lockdown.
Faith developed after seeing the worship and devotion of the priest: Udayraj Das, Temple priest said that initially these people could not mingle with locals as they were unable to understand language. But they were impressed with daily pooja rituals. Within a few days, entire family started attending the pooja on their own or without any persuasion from priest or locals. They are maintaining social distancing and are loud in chanting pooja mantras in broken Hindi. Now they have started liking rituals and attends daily aarti. They have become hardcore followers of Hinduism and do not consume water and food before performing pooja.
Back home they will continue to worship Lord Shiva: A local resident Sanjay, who understands English has explainrd to them importance of pooja and rituals. Sanjay says, these people have started liking Lord Shiva’s pooja and worship. Sanjay explained that after returning to their home in France, they will keep on doing pooja and worshipping.
The family turned vegetarian, started eating Dal and Rice: This family dines with temple priest Udayraj Das on daily basis. The priest says that everyone joins for for morning meals. They are fond of eating Dal (pulses), Rice, vegetable, Roti (Indian Bread) and salad. They prefer to eat fast food like Maggi during the day time and eats fresh fruits in the night.
Dr Ujjwal Kumar, District Magistrate and the Collector of Maharajganj said “The French embassy in Delhi has been informed about their presence here. These French nationals are our guests and it is our paramount responsibility to take good care of them. The district administration is providing them grocery and other essentials, whenever they need. They have been found healthy after a medical check-up. The administration tried to shift them to a safer place in the city but the tourists said they were happy and comfortable living near the forests”.
Editor in Chief : Mewati SItaram
