Meenakshi Amman and HER Paduka
Paduka for Meenakshi Amman
Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai
It is a fact of faith, belief, and eternal love to do something who you admire to.
A British Collector named Rous Peter was appointed as Collector of Madurai from 1812 to 1828.
Though a Christian by faith, he respected all faiths including Hinduism and also honored local practices. Collector Peter was the temple administrator of the Meenakshi Amman Temple and conducted all his duties with sincerity and honesty and respected the religious sentiments of all people.
Goddess Meenakshi Amman Temple was situated between Collector Peter's residence and office. Every day he used to go to the office by his horse and while crossing the temple, he got down from his horse, removed the hat and his shoes and crossed the whole path on his foot. Through this small gesture, he expressed his reverence to the Goddess!
One day there was a heavy downpour in Madurai city and River Vaigai was in spate. Collector was sleeping in his residence and was suddenly disturbed and woken up by the sound of anklets and he left his bed to find out from where the sound had come.
He saw a small girl wearing pattuvastrams (silk garments) and precious ornaments and addressing him as 'Peter come this way'. And he came out to follow her and was running behind the little girl to find out who she was! As he came out of the house and was running, he was shocked as he turned to see behind him, his residence (whole bungalow) being washed away by the floodwaters of River Vaigai!
He turned to follow the girl but she disappeared into thin air! He saw that the girl ran without any shoes and was wearing anklets. He believed that his devotion to Mother Goddess Meenakshi had saved his life.
Later, he wished to give a gift to Lord Meenakshi Amman & consulted the priest of the temple and ordered a pair of golden shoes for Goddess Meenakshi Amman. It is thus that the pair of Paadhukams consisting of 412 rubies, 72 emeralds, and 80 diamonds were made and donated to the temple. His name was sculpted as "Peter" on the shoes.
Till this day the pair of Paadhukams is known as 'Peter Paadhukam' is there.
This is the incidence that had happened 200 years back in 1818 and for all those who have faith and belief, Goddess Meenakshi had been benevolent with her blessings.
It is true that faith and belief can make things happen.
ReplyDeleteYes,it is 100% true that faith and belief can make impossible things possible
ReplyDeleteHi
ReplyDeleteRamalingam here.
Madurai is the chosen land where Devadi Dev Mahadev chose to enact many of His unique Dramas, or as called in Tamil, Thiruvilaiyadal (Divine Play). He married the Divine Mother Parvati born to the Madurai King Malayadhwajha and his wife Kanchanamala after one such play. Meenakshi Devi was born with 3 breasts and the Akashavani ordained that when she'd meet her match, the third breast would disappear. She was a brave warrior and won many wars for the Pandian King, her father. But, when confronted by Shiva, she found that her third breast vanished and she blushed as she knew He was to be Her Husband.
The Divine Marriage took place but, Shiva, as Ghar Jamai, played second fiddle to His wife who was the Queen and Ruler of Madurai.
This anecdote about Peter is true.
There is a story about another English Governor of Tirunelveli who went the Subrahmanya Temple in Thiruchendur in the District.
He found that during a festival, the Lord and His Divine Consorts were being fanned by the Priests using ornamental fans.
He was quite derisive in his criticism and quizzed that was the Lord sweating that He was being fanned? Surprise of surprises, when the Lord's silk raiments were removed, they were drenched in sweat.
The Englishman prostrated before the Lord and became an ardent devotee.
Similar anecdotes abound all over the region where the Temples of old are still standing testimony to the creative genius of our forbears.