Varanasi: A shocking incident has surfaced in Varanasi, the city of Kashi Vishwanath, where a priest took his own life after reportedly being disheartened by the failure of Goddess Kali to manifest during his prayers.

Amit Sharma, a devoted follower of Goddess Kali, secluded himself in a room on Saturday to perform an intense 24-hour ritual.

Convinced that the goddess would appear and bless him with her presence, he continuously chanted prayers, calling upon her to manifest. When his expectations were unmet, frustration took over, and he resorted to the drastic measure of slitting his throat with a sharp knife. The priest was rushed to a local trauma center but succumbed to his injuries during treatment.

### **Details of the Incident**

According to sources, Sharma was deeply devoted to Goddess Kali. Locked in his room, he remained absorbed in prayer, firmly believing that his rituals would invoke the goddess. Witnesses reported hearing him repeatedly chant, *“Maa Kali, give me your darshan.”* Assistant Police Commissioner Ishan Soni stated, "He was adamant that the goddess would appear before him. When this did not happen, he lost hope and took the extreme step." The Varanasi police have sent Sharma's body for postmortem and initiated an investigation into the case.

### **Community in Shock**

The incident has left the local community and devotees in disbelief. Sharma was known for his religious dedication and for organizing pilgrimages for tourists in the city. His death has raised concerns about the extreme measures some individuals may resort to in their pursuit of spiritual experiences. The case serves as a reminder of the need for awareness and mental health support in managing religious fervor and personal expectations.