Kalachakra Puja pushes up condom, abortion pill sales
January 07, 2012 16:58 IST
The ongoing Kalachakra Puja at of Bodh Gaya in Bihar is making headlines for an unusual reason.
On the sidelines of the ceremony, being led by exiled Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama, there has been a reported spike in the sale of condoms, Viagra and abortion pills in the holy Buddhist site.
"It may sound strange but it is true that condoms, Viagra, Japanese oil and abortion pills are in high demand among devotees in Bodh Gaya," Sonam Dorze, a Tibetan volunteer involved in spreading awareness of HIV/AIDS at a stall during the Kalachakra puja said.
Another Tibetan volunteer, Tenzing Phunso said that more than 1,500 condoms are being distributed free of cost among devotees daily.
Local medicine store owners at Bodh Gaya said that the sale of condoms had suddenly had increased three to four times during Kalachakra puja, thanks to arrival of devotees from across the world.
"Tibetan devotees are purchasing cheap condoms available in the market, but foreigners, particularly from Europe and America, go for high quality condoms," Shauat Ali, a salesman at a medicine shop, said.
Over 2 lakh people from across the globe are attending the Kalachakra Puja.
M I Khan in Patna
