Bijnor’s ‘Chamatkari’ Dog ‘Disturbs’ India: Rural Worship Wave Meets Urban Outrage — Logic’s Lost Battle? | Viral News

Last Updated:January 17, 2026, 14:40 IST

A dog was seen moving in circles around the idols of Lord Hanuman and Maa Durga inside a local temple for nearly three days.

Locals had gathered at the temple, offering prayers to the dog. (Photo Credit: X)

A strange and upsetting incident from Uttar Pradesh’s Bijnor district garnered attention recently. A dog was seen moving in circles around the idols of Lord Hanuman and Maa Durga inside a local temple for nearly three days. The dog kept walking around the idols for hours without stopping, which left many onlookers shocked and confused. It was also reported that the dog did not eat or drink during this time.

Several videos showed locals gathering at the temple, offering prayers to the dog and recording the scene on their phones. Many believed the dog’s behaviour had a religious meaning and treated it like a ritual. While it is speculated that the dog died later, there’s still no confirmation about the same. After this news came out, many social media users criticised the people present at the temple. They said the dog needed medical help and pointed out that the dog may have been suffering from a health issue related to balance and the brain, which caused the unusual movement.

Why Are Locals Worshipping A Stray Dog And How It Began?

The incident happened at an old Hanuman temple in Nandpur village, located in the Nagina area. After the dog was seen moving in circles around the idol, local people gathered at the temple, saying that it was a miracle and the dog was a devotee. This belief led a few locals to worship the dog. Reports say the dog started circling the temple around January 11–12, 2026. It kept moving nonstop for more than 72 hours at the Hanuman temple before shifting towards the idol of Maa Durga.

How Did Priests And Sadhus React?

After the incident gained attention, temple priests and sadhus described the crowd’s reaction as devotion. Some even claimed the dog was an incarnation of Bhairav, which further encouraged people to continue worshipping it and no one thought about taking medical help.

What Is The Stance Of Political Leaders?

Surprisingly, no political leaders visited the site or made any statement about the incident. Local authorities also stayed silent to avoid controversy. This silence allowed the excitement and confusion to continue without giving importance to the scientific explanation. In the absence of official action, many users and animal health experts shared warnings, saying the dog may have been suffering from a serious medical condition and needed urgent treatment.

After the video surfaced online, an individual wrote, “A dog repeatedly walking in circles, often in one direction, usually signals a neurological problem affecting balance, commonly Vestibular Disease. He needs help ASAP. Stop making everything into some fictional tale.”

Another shared, “Please someone in Bijnor call a vet. Handle the dog with care & protection. Test for viral diseases and importantly high ammonia. Then treat the dog. Even if you are very religious, this is 2026 and Kali Yuga, dogs don’t go around gods just like that. Please take it like that.”

What Are The Scientific Explanations?

Experts say the dog’s behaviour could be linked to cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS). This is a common age-related condition in dogs that affects the brain, similar to Alzheimer’s disease. CDS develops slowly due to age-related damage to the brain. Sadly, there is no single treatment or cure for this condition.

Other possible reasons for such behaviour include vestibular disease, obsessive actions or even rabies. Vestibular disorders can also be linked as it affect a dog’s sense of balance. Doctors and animal experts shared that these are medical problems and not supernatural signs.

Is the Ailment Contagious?

Those trying to go near the dog in Bijnor are not at risk of catching its illness. The dog’s constant circling is caused by neurological problems, which won’t harm humans. Conditions like vestibular disorders, ear infections or canine dementia that cause such behaviour, but it cannot spread through air, touch or observation. These issues arise from dog-specific factors, such as inner ear problems or changes in the brain and there is no way for them to be transmitted to people.

What Are The Potential Risks?

The main concern with the stray dog is the risk of rabies, as the virus can be transmitted through bites, scratches or contact with saliva. It is advisable to observe such a dog from a safe distance and contact animal control authorities to handle the situation safely.

Why Do People See It As A Miracle?

In Hindu culture, unusual events are often seen through a spiritual lens. Hinduism teaches that the world is filled with sacred energy, including animals and nature. Ancient texts like the Puranas describe gods appearing in different forms, such as Hanuman’s devotees or Bhairav, a form of Shiva often associated with dogs. In rural areas like Bijnor, people naturally interpret such events as supernatural and turn them into a community prayer.

How Can Rationality Be Taught Effectively?

Rationality simply means using reason to understand and explain any behaviour or thought. Encouraging people to think critically using facts and evidence, along with open discussions about culture, can help balance faith traditions. Constitution (Article 51A(h)) encourages the development of a scientific temper, but this goal is limited by memorisation-based learning in schools and thereligious influences in society.

What Educational Reforms Can Help?

Introducing logic and scepticism lessons early in schools can help students learn to question such incidents instead of accepting things blindly. Teaching methods from the Nyaya school of philosophy or modern Socratic-style debates can encourage critical thinking and reasoning. Instead of relying on rituals, students can be shown experiments that explain supernatural events naturally, which will help them develop a habit of verifying information rather than assuming it is true.

What Community Strategies Can Support Rationality?

To promote rational thinking, social media campaigns and influencers can be used to spread misinformation with scientific facts. Local workshops in rural areas can connect rational thinking to practical benefits, such as better health or improved farming techniques. Parents can also be helped to encourage their children to question beliefs in a respectful way.

What Insights Can Be Drawn From Local And National Perceptions?

In small towns like Nandpur, people are attracted to such unusual events due to devotion and social media plays an important role in amplifying the attention. Experts warn that these incidents show gaps in awareness about animal health and safety. Such events are regional, similar to past cases like the milk-drinking statues. Meanwhile, criticism from larger cities helps prevent negative perceptions from spreading worldwide.

Which Regions In India Lead In Promoting Rationality?

Kerala stands out with a 94% literacy rate and a proper scientific mindset, where people often challenge such superstitions through quality education. Goa mixes its Portuguese-influenced way of thinking with a lot of scepticism. In Maharashtra, especially Pune, the focus on IT and technology encourages people to question and think logically. Similarly, Bengaluru’s tech hubs support evidence-based thinking through startups, research and universities.

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