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Tooting man becomes Hindu goddess

An unemployed Tooting man has found work at last - as an Indian Goddess who thousands of Hindus believe can cure infertility. Pilgrims head to a remote jungle temple to be blessed by Steve Cooper, 32, from South West London. Surrounded by followers, Steve declared: “I love being here. I don’t miss anything about Tooting.”

He is regarded as a reincarnation of Bahucharaji, the patron of Indian eunuchs. He has been at the temple in the northern state of Gujarat for three months. Every time Steve walks through the local village, people flock to greet him, shouting: ‘Jay Bahuchar Ma’ - ‘The goddess is here.’

Steve calls himself Pamela. But his devotees have dubbed him Prema - Hindi for Divine Love. He said: “All my life I just didn’t fit. Now I’ve found my life. I plan to stay for good. I couldn’t leave now.”

Steve was living in a tiny flat in Tooting until deciding on his new career after Indian friends told him he looked and moved just like the ancient goddess.

Steve said: “I feel as if I have come home. I was meant to be here. When I first came to the temple, I sat down and smiled. Everything fell into place. “After about 20 minutes everyone crowded around and I naturally started blessing people. When I touch people I connect with them.” ananova

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