Nandapur, 9th Sept 2025: During the lunar eclipse, people are staying indoors and observing traditional eclipse rituals. In view of the eclipse, the residents of Tankel village in Panthulung Panchayat under Nandapur block of Koraput district are utilizing the occasion at the pond banks to seek traditional medicines from a local Cheramuli (herbal) practitioner, Ananta Kharata, for various ailments.
On the day of the eclipse, a large gathering of villagers was seen near the pond to consult Ananta for Cheramuli-based treatment. People are collecting herbal medicine in leaf pouches from Ananta and are waiting near the pond to bathe and consume the medicine during the eclipse, believing that doing so will cure their illnesses.
Villagers and the traditional healer say that this method has been practiced since the time of their ancestors and is followed specifically during solar and lunar eclipses. Ananta Kharata of Totaguda village said that he treats people for free using Cheramuli-based medicines during these specific times to cure stomach ailments, eye problems, and mental illnesses.
According to him, thousands of patients have been cured over the years through this traditional method. Local intellectuals confirm the effectiveness of the treatment. Upon hearing of its success, people from faraway places have been coming for the treatment.
They say, “We believe our treatment will be successful, and we will be cured,”—a sentiment shared by people coming from nearby panchayats and even from the Andhra region.
Villagers are seen gathered near the traditional healer in Tankel village to receive the indigenous medicine.
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