'Possessed, ritualistic dance and high-energy'; 'Red woman' steals the show at Kodungallur Bharani

A video of a foreign woman in a red saree, taking part in the Kodungallur Bharani festival in devotional fervour, went viral on social media. Many people went in search of the woman who was later found to be a Spanish vlogger.

Nithyasri Paula Segara became the centre of attention during the festival as she went through heightened emotional fervour, engaging in ritualistic dance in a high-energy movement. Nithyasree is a frequent presence in temple festivals and is fixated with Indian culture and spirituality, and often shoots videos of Hindu rituals and temples. She later shares them on her social media page.

She came to Kodungallur wearing a red saree to attend the festival. After the video went viral, many people searched for the woman, while some called her actions theatrical. However, many came in support of the woman as they said it was the foreign woman who became this year's major attraction at the temple festival.