Indians seek out fortune tellers to fight COVID-19 blues

Sanjay Sharma, a mystic healer and astrologer, making prayers as he hold herbs in his hands before giving them to Anju Devi, one of his clients, at his office, amidst the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in New Delhi, India August 22, 2020. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - In his golden-hued office, decked out with peacock feathers and crystal balls, Indian mystic healer and astrologer Sanjay Sharma is busy offering his clients a peek into their future as the COVID-19 pandemic has muddied their present.

"Right now people are really frightened about their future," said Sharma, with flowing hair and a big vermilion dot on his forehead, as smouldering incense sticks spread their fragrance over an Apple laptop on his desk.