In a shocking incident, a 45-year-old priest committed suicide after Goddess Kali did not "appear" before him while he prayed for 24 hours in Varanasi.
The priest slit his throat at his rented house in Gaighat Pathangali on Sunday evening. He was rushed to a hospital but died during treatment.
As per reports, the victim, identified as Amit Sharma, was an ardent devotee of Maa Kali, and was in prayer for 24 hours inside his house since Saturday. The priest claimed that the goddess would "appear and meet him".
While praying, the priest reportedly continuously chanted "Maa Kali, Darshan De". After several hours passed and nothing happened, the disappointed priest slit his throat using a knife.
"He (the priest) was insistent that goddess Kali would appear before him. When that did not happen, he slit his throat. He was rushed to the trauma centre of a local hospital where he succumbed to injuries," the police official said.
Sharma's landlord said the priest had been staying at the house for seven years. He would offer prayers at the Kashi Vishwanath temple and also accompany tourists on religious pilgrimages.
The body has been sent for post-mortem and a detailed probe is underway, the police said.