Mahalakshmi temple is situated in Mahadanapuram,23 Kms. from Karur town. This temple is in a remote village and very few vehicles ply on the road. The motorable road is well canopied on either side by coconut trees. when we reached the temple , it was closed as the priest had taken French leave. But the kind lady sitting outside, allowed us inside the temple and that helped me to get over the disappointment.
This temple is about 800 years old and this temple becomes a beehive of activity during the Aadi (Tamil calender month) festival. Devotees participate in a bizarre festival of breaking coconuts on their heads in return for fulfillment of their wishes. The priest of the temple breaks the coconut on the heads of devotees. This ritual has drawn a lot of flak from many agencies but devotees in the name of faith do not deter from this.
Check the video of the ritual .Click here. for the video
My clicks of the temple
https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipMaSks_aX1MPg79fzdMZkH92YCal8ZaNXDF0r3u
How to reach- Karur town is well connected by rail and road, the nearest airport is at Trichy
Accommodation- There are good hotels in Karur town.
But one may have to hire a cab to reach this temple as it is in a very remote place.
This temple is about 800 years old and this temple becomes a beehive of activity during the Aadi (Tamil calender month) festival. Devotees participate in a bizarre festival of breaking coconuts on their heads in return for fulfillment of their wishes. The priest of the temple breaks the coconut on the heads of devotees. This ritual has drawn a lot of flak from many agencies but devotees in the name of faith do not deter from this.
Check the video of the ritual .Click here. for the video
My clicks of the temple
https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipMaSks_aX1MPg79fzdMZkH92YCal8ZaNXDF0r3u
How to reach- Karur town is well connected by rail and road, the nearest airport is at Trichy
Accommodation- There are good hotels in Karur town.
But one may have to hire a cab to reach this temple as it is in a very remote place.
Oh! I have seen that coconut-breaking ritual. Bizarre! No offense but its scary. I didnt know it was this temple.
ReplyDeleteAs usual, informative post chitra.
Bindu, very true, really scary, I don't think I will be able to witness that in person.
ReplyDeleteThts really a very good post ..beautiful pictures every time I visit ur space I do get an opportunity to c the temple:)
ReplyDeleteThe place looks magical to me. Intense spiritaul atmosphere.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures Chitra, well composed all of them.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting Chitra.
ReplyDeleteThe coconut breaking ritual sounds terrific..I guess there are very few temples dedicated specifically to Goddess Mahalaxmi and this is one of them
ReplyDeleteSushma, thanks a lot.
ReplyDeleteMartina, thanks.
ReplyDelete?, thank you.
EC, thank you.
Beautiful pics Chitra.
ReplyDeleteAs for ritual the idea behind it is lost on me. But then who am I to question such things ;)
It's faith Bhagya. These rituals would go on.... Why nobody knows.
ReplyDeleteThe coconut thing sounds rather brutal but not any more so than the group of devotees who believe in the use of self flagellation.
ReplyDeleteNice to read the temple history.
ReplyDeletePrabha Kamath.
8oo year old temple - there would be so much to absorb about it, isn't it? Coconut breaking tradition is popular in the south than in the north, wonder why.
ReplyDeleteLovely and colorful temple .
ReplyDeletePW, thanks but I am scared to see such things.
ReplyDeleteThanks Prabhakka.
ReplyDeleteTGS, thanks
ReplyDeleteSanand, Long time....
ReplyDeleteSouth we have more coconut farms. It's available in abundance and hence used for various rituals.
800 years old
ReplyDeletegood to know about more
pics are nice
mahadanapuram is a place i've gone to but never visited the temple.
ReplyDeletenice temple but bizzarre offereing really. This time on my way from siruvacchur to neyveli, i found devotees of a temple(perhaps murugan) piercing 5 feet tall and a thin wire of single piece (it's called alagu) pierced on their either side of their mouth.
I had goosebumps seeing those.
Beautiful write up and photos..
ReplyDeleteI never knew there is a ritual like breaking coconuts on your head.
We do break coconuts in front of the temple normally smashing it on a rock kept in front of the temple...
sm, thanks.
ReplyDeleteAsha, As I live near Palani, I have seen devotees piercing tongue with Vel as big as 6-7 feet.
ReplyDeleteStranger, This is the first time I am also seeing such a ritual. Long time since we visited each other. Nice you made it a point to come here and comment. thanks, shall be visiting you soon. At present I am travelling.
ReplyDeleteGreat pics and amazing temple, southern India is filled with such gems.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this Chitra, have a wonderful week ahead:)
It is nice to know about the history n tradition of different places ~ great learning through your post n pics! Beautiful serene temple!
ReplyDeleteUS Masala
800 years old and people breaking coconuts on head..interesting.
ReplyDeleteVery nice picture though only 12.
Simply Speaking "A" Simple Blogger
I liked seeing the very well captured pictures Chitra..! I have been kind of busy with office these days and my blog visits have dwindled. But I make it a point not to miss nice posts like these..!
ReplyDeleteI am planning to be on Amarnath yatra during Jul 8 - 20th. So will be missing from here for a while now..!
On there heads OUCH that hurts ...
ReplyDeleteBikram's
Hi Chitra, welcome back! Hope you've had a wonderful time - can't wait to see your new pictures here soon! xox
ReplyDeleteBikram, yes, it would hurt..
ReplyDeleteMartina, yes, enjoyed. thanks for the visit.
ReplyDelete