Thousands flock to village in Karnataka for 'wonder pill' to cure Asthma

KOPPAL: A sleepy village in Koppal district came to life on Saturday morning as thousands of people from various parts of the country descended on it to receive a herbal medicine that cures respiratory problems, mainly Asthma. The 'wonder pill' prepared by traditional healer Ashok Rao Kulkarni is drawing people from several parts of Karnataka, neighbouring Maharashtra, and all southern states to Kutaganahalli village.
According to Kulkarni, the medication must be administered and consumed during a specific auspicious time, known as 'Muhurta', which occurred at 7.47 am on Saturday when the moon transitioned from 'Mrugashira Nakshatra' to 'Ardra Nakshatra'. Kulkarni's family claims that the medicine is particularly effective during the 'Jyeshtha Maasa' of the Hindu lunar calendar, coinciding with the rainy season in the region, resulting in a massive crowd on Saturday.
The Kulkarnis have completed a century giving this medicine to people. "Earlier my father Vyasa Rao Kulkarni gave this medicine for 60 years and after him, I started giving it. This is my 40th year distributing the medicines," Kulkarni told reporters in Kutaganahalli. It is the century old trust in the medicine that brings people to the village in droves to obtain the medicine free of cost.
This century-old trust in the herbal remedy draws people to the village, where the medicine is given free of cost. Dressed in a 'Dhoti', 'Anga Vastram', and sporting a Tilak of vermillion, a bare-chested Kulkarni offered the globular medicines to those in need.
The atmosphere in Kutaganahalli resembled that of a grand fair, with numerous vendors setting up temporary stalls selling vegetables, food items, and various goods. The village was lined with a large number of four-wheelers, including SUVs, as people formed long queues to receive the 'wonder pill', the secret of which remains within the Kulkarni family.