A group of Hindu men tried to invoke divine blessing in the battle against Covid 19 virus in Shivamogga in in Southern India on May 16.

Following an astrologer’s advise they managed to find four cows with five legs from nearby villages. Then they called a priest to worship the animals according to Hindu rituals. The animals were later fed and their owners were given groceries.

An astrologer had told the group that cows with an extra limb were auspicious. Worshipping them would please the gods, who would protect the city from the epidemic from all four directions, he claimed.

The event was organised by Devendrappa, a local politician.

The epidemic has spiked in Shivamogga, where 12 Covid 19 cases have been reported recently.