A psychiatric study of patients attending mehandipur balaji temple.

In the present study 100 cases, randomly selected were studied at famous shrine of Rajasthan, the Mehandipur Balaji. As regards the sociodemographic variables, patients were mainly between 15-39 years of age, 80% were educated, 82% had Urban domicile, 98% were Hindus and Females were 54%. Majority of the visitors being from Northern part of India. Failure of modern treatment and influence of family members and friends were the main motivating factors. Majority of patients were Neurotic (48%), followed by Psychotics (28%). Patients who developed trance (possession) were Neurotics. One quarter of the patients who were mainly psychoneurotics, showed improvement.