By Jimisayo Opanuga
20 September 2023 |
11:37 am
A baby girl born in India with 26 fingers and toes is being called “divine” by her family, who believe she is the reincarnation of a Hindu goddess. The newborn, from Bharatpur in the northern state of Rajasthan, has seven fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot. Medical experts have said that…
A baby girl born in India with 26 fingers and toes is being called “divine” by her family, who believe she is the reincarnation of a Hindu goddess.
The newborn, from Bharatpur in the northern state of Rajasthan, has seven fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot.
Medical experts have said that she was born with a rare genetic abnormality, known as polydactyly. However, her family, deeply rooted in their spiritual beliefs, sees her as more than just a statistical anomaly but as the “second coming of a Hindu goddess.”
The town of Bharatpur is no stranger to the divine. It is home to the well-known deity, Dholagarh Devi, dedicated to a deity depicted as a young girl with numerous arms. Surprisingly, the Dholagarh Devi temple is close to the hospital where the child was delivered.
The baby’s arrival, with her abundance of fingers and toes, has sparked fervent belief among locals that she is the “second coming” of Dholagarh Devi herself.
Sarju Devi, the 25-year-old mother of the miraculous child, exudes happiness and faith in her family’s newfound blessing.
Her brother, speaking to local media, exclaimed, “My sister has given birth to a baby who has 26 fingers, and we are considering it to be the incarnation of Dholagarh Devi. We are very happy.”
Even the baby’s father, Gopal Bhattacharya, a police constable in the Central Reserve Police Force, is overjoyed by the birth of his extraordinary daughter.
It’s unknown if the baby’s parents will choose for her to undergo surgery to get the digits down to 10 fingers and 10 toes, but there’s nothing medically wrong with her.
Dr BS Soni, a medic at the hospital where the baby was born, said: “There is no harm of any kind in having 26 fingers, but it is a genetic anomaly. The girl is otherwise absolutely healthy.”
In some cultures, polydactyly, or the condition of having extra fingers and toes, is seen as a sign of good luck and prosperity. This is particularly true in India, where many people believe that it is a sign of divine blessing.
The baby’s unique condition has made her a local celebrity, with people flocking to the hospital to see her.
But regardless of whether or not the baby is truly a goddess, her story is a heartwarming one. It’s a reminder that even the most unusual things can bring joy, love and acceptance to people’s lives.
