Special poojas performed for Messi ahead of World Cup Finals

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Only a few hours are left for the FIFA World Cup finals. Argentina and Spain are set to clash in the title match at 12:30 am on Monday. Like football fans across the globe, Kerala is also gripped by World Cup fever, with giant cutouts and banners of favorite teams and players in various parts of the state since the tournament began.

Now, photos and videos of fans conducting special poojas for Argentina superstar Lionel Messi are going viral on social media. Millions of supporters are praying for Messi to lift another World Cup trophy. Devotees performed Pushpanjali (flower offering) and Shathru Samhara Pooja (a Hindu ritual traditionally performed for protection and victory over obstacles) at temples, with the rituals conducted under the Rohini birth star. A youth shared a video of the Shathru Samhara Pooja on Instagram three days ago, and it has since attracted widespread attention and numerous reactions online.