Milk-drinking gods just plain science
![]() |


Related Stories
HC bars security forces from leaving Shopian
Dehradun cops accused of killing man to win medals 
Second nursing student alleges Andhra MLA raped her
CPI-M may decide feuding Kerala leaders' fate
CM helpless, admits Maoists extort Rs 300 cr annually
Bandh call by Hindu outfit gets mixed response in Mysore
Time for Mamata to walk the Budget talk 
Mamata's Budget Express | Mamata Exclusive | Rail Budget
Top bosses fly high as AI struggles to survive 
10 years of Kargil, heroes recall the war | Pay Tribute 
New Delhi: The phenomenon of idols "drinking" milk could be explained scientifically by the theory of capillary action or the movement of liquids within spaces of porous surfaces due to surface tension, adhesion and cohesion.
The reason behind people thronging temples with pots and pans filled with milk could be termed a ‘mass religious hysteria’ caused by gullibility and scientific ignorance, eminent scientist Prof Yash Pal said.
The surface tension phenomenon can be witnessed in the ubiquitous water tap, where a drop of water stays suspended and drains away when touched, he said.
Similarly, when a spoonful of milk is touched to the idol, the surface tension of the milk pulls the liquid up and out of the spoon, before gravity causes it to run down the front of the statue.
As the level of liquid or milk in the spoon dropped, it coated the statue beneath where the spoon was placed.
A similar phenomenon had frenzied devotees making a beeline at temples on September 21, 1995 with some even carrying bucketful of milk for the Lord.
| Ads by Google |
| Related Ads: | |















Read Comment | Post Comment
Greetings, I would like document my witnessing the Hindu Miracle of Ganesh drinking milk in on Sept. 21 1995 in
Read Comment
Its strange that if it this due to capillary action, why did it happen only on that specific day? Was
Read Comment
First of all why do we refer to scientists - ITE MISA EST - is it divine word?Second, why statues
Read Comment
Well, hindus understand what this miracle meant. Of course God does not need to drink milk,and God does not have
Read Comment
This explanation still does not give light to the obvious fact that the 'idols' that drank the milk were those
Read Comment
Read more comment »