Worshippers receive cigarettes, alcohol and sweets at bizarre Hindu shrine

Hindu worshippers at one Indian shrine received a unique holy sacrament, as offerings of food, alcohol and cigarettes were made and redistributed as food yesterday (November 29).

Shrines to Bhairav Nath, a Hindu incarnation of Shiva, in Gujarat accept various offerings that are then consecrated and served back to devotees as "prasad".

An estimated 1111 types of food items and drinks were offered and consumed yesterday, including 58 types of alcohol, 22 types of cigarettes and 12 brand of beedi, or thin cigarettes. Gujarati snacks and foreign sweets were also served this way.