Weird World: men thrown out of village so women can do ritual walk in the nude

Authorities in India emptied a village of its male residents to enable women to walk naked in an age-old ritual. All men and boys above the age of six were ordered to leave Vellakadu, in Tamil Nadu, before the annual Pongal festival. During the festival, local women walk naked through the village to a temple, reports the Statesman of Calcutta. The custom has been going on for generations but has recently attracted hordes of visitors and the state government is worried about public order.

The nude walk was carried out this year under the supervision of a female council member after the male population was dispatched out of the village limits. It is reported a police contingent was posted around the village to prevent intruders. Police Superintendent R Arumugam said: "The ritual cannot be stopped. We are not trying to do that. It would be undemocratic to stop a local practice that does not harm anyone." Locals believe the ritual brings good health and prosperity but are also worried that excessive public attention could bring a bad name to the village and affect matrimonial prospects for local women.