Children tossed in cow dung for good luck during Hindu festival

Children in Madhya Pradesh's Betul district are tossed or placed in cow dung for the Hindu festival of Govardhan Puja (November 8) for good luck.

Paricipants hope that the children will be granted good health and protected from disease as a result of the puja (prayer or ritual).

Govardhan Puja is also known as 'Annaku' is a Hindu festival that takes place on the fourth day of Diwali, during which devotees pray to Lord Krishna. Govardhan Puja commemorates the day Lord Krishna defeated Lord Indra, who brought heavy rainfall, destroying fields.