By | Anil Borade | Exclusive
Dhule: Balde village, known as the “Prati Pandharpur” just eight kilometers from Shirpur, witnessed a deeply emotional incident on August 23. A monkey, gravely injured in an attack by stray dogs, succumbed to its injuries, leaving the entire village heartbroken.
After being attacked, the injured monkey fled into the nearby forest and died due to lack of timely medical help. Rajendra Bhagwan Patil discovered the lifeless body and informed the villagers, plunging the entire community into grief.
What followed was an extraordinary display of compassion — the villagers performed the monkey’s funeral with full human-like dignity. The entire village observed five days of mourning, marking their respect for the departed soul. On August 27, the last rites were performed at the Hanuman temple with rituals like Hanuman Chalisa recitations.
Men shaved their heads as a mark of grief, while women observed mourning traditions to pay homage. Later, a community meal was organized at the Vitthal-Rukmai temple, with every villager participating to honor the soul.
This incident stands as a poignant reminder of the compassion, empathy, and love that binds humans to all living beings — a rare and heart-touching example of humanity in its truest form.
