Devotees perform Karaha Puja in Uttar Pradesh

Hindu devotees perform Karaha Puja in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh on March 25, 2015. (Source: Express photo by Anand Singh)

The Karaha Puja is a ritual in which the elder priest pours hot milk over his body to please the Gods. (Source: Express photo by Anand Singh)

An elderly priest prepares for the Karaha puja, a traditional ritual in Uttar Pradesh. (Source: Express photo by Anand Singh)

A priest pours hot milk over himself to please the gods amidst chanting of prayers. (Source: Express photo by Anand Singh)

The ritual is witnessed by a large number of people and is generally performed in temples by elderly priests. (Source: Express photo by Anand Singh)

The ritual is performed in Varanasi and Mirzapur districts in eastern Uttar Pradesh. (Source: Express photo by Anand Singh)

The Karaha Puja is performed on infants also. While some people consider it cruel and inhuman, many are of the view that by doing this, their children are blessed. (Source: Express photo by Anand Singh)

Priests boiling milk in earthen pots before performing the ritual. The Puja is also done on the eve of marriages and other auspicious occasions. (Source: Express photo by Anand Singh)