Saturday!
We visited the Manakula Vinayagar Temple, the most popular temple in Pondy! As soon as we entered the temple, I looked around to see if Lakshmi has arrived. Oh, She is not to be seen anywhere! My son too was disappointed about her not being there, so we decided to wait for her! Are you wondering who this Lakshmi is? She is none other than the gorgeous temple elephant!
Manakula Vinayagar Temple, which dates back to 1666, has this gorgeous elephant welcoming the devotees to the temple. Manakula Vinayagar Temple is one major attraction to the tourists who arrive in Pondy. History says that the French tried to remove the Ganesh statue from the temple, but to their utter amazement, the idol reappeared each time it was removed. So they had to drop the idea of demolishing the temple.
So coming back to Lakshmi!
She’s adored by one and all, though the perception and outlook changes according to the age group. Kids show a playful fascination towards her. If you watch her for sometime, you are sure to be captivated by the way she reciprocates to different age groups. Her gestures and pranks towards children are to be seen to be believed. She uses her trunk to show her affection towards the kids, sometimes with a tap on their heads, or a gentle pull to attract them!
Most of the devotees, specially the elders consider her as the physical embodiment of Ganesha! But for the kids, it is totally different. Some of them cry, others crave for her gentle touch! No matter, whoever comes to her is sure to receive her blessings with a gentle tap on their heads!
Have you ever seen an elephant with anklets??????
After around 15 minutes, Lakshmi arrived! A real treat to our eyes!
Lakshmi is 17 years old now. She was just six, when she was gifted to the temple, by some devotee. Since then, till date she has been welcoming the devotees to the temple.
She stands there as the symbol of Ganesha!!!
So, if you are planning to hit this part of the globe, make sure that you meet Vinayagar and Lakshmi, won't you?
Wow..Padasaram ulla aana..kollalo..I definitely want to see her, may be next time when we come to India...
ReplyDeleteLove
Suji
Though I been visiting pondy for morethan 15 years and this information on this temple and the Lakshmi is something very interesting and informative. I would be happy to have these kind of different information and appreciate your patience in collecting sort of information and flush into people.
ReplyDeletePlease continue your blogging... its very nice, Thans for posting....
Another "person" to visit there! Keep posting, this will help us who are planning for long to visit Pond.... er.. Puducherry. Welcome to blogging, chechi.
ReplyDeletesunie
ReplyDeletenice post yarr..so happy to know about lakshmi..the anklets really superb..thanks for introducing lakshmi..nice pictures..
the blog templtae is really superb yarr