Today (07/03/2013) I visited with my wife Pandi Muneeswarar of Melmadi, Madurai. Our travel started from Meenakshi Mission Hospital, Madurai. It is easy to take an auto for Rs.50/- to reach the temple. It is just 2 km away. He drops you at his favorite flower shop. As today is not an important day (friday and sunday are) there was less crowd. The flower shop person sold some offerings for Rs.30/-. He insisted on some garlands. But we declined. As we entered the temple first we prayed at the ganapathy idol. The temple was impressive and look poised to become a very big complex in future. As we entered the way to lord Pandi Muneeswarar we read warnings of the priest charging exorbitantly. We proceeded. The diety is imposing. Giant garlands were decorating. The priest was charging different rates for different services like 251 for offering big garland, perfumes, sandal pasting the deity etc. As we did not insist on any special service and we just offered coconut, bananas, agarbhati and few flowers, he charged us Rs.31/-. For charges he just orders "pay 31." As per laws whatever the devotees offer to the priest will go to him and whatever offered at the till will go to the temple administration. This priest job is enviable.
In the same complex there are two more gods. One is Aandi (without any worldly possession). This god is believed to be lord subramanya. We cannot make out as there are no symbols of this god like spear, peacock (his vehicle) etc. These are absent may be because he is aandi? This is just a mound. We were asked to offer cigars and lemon. We did.
Then we prayed at lord Samaya (time?). They call him Samaya Karuppu. We also offered him cigars and lemon. This idol is broken into four pieces. The standing statue is only up to the chest. It looks weird. We saw the place people sacrifice goats to him. It is very difficult for many people to digest this form. Fortunately we did not witness any sacrifice. The site has the smell of death. What a way.
Then we came out and boarded a bus to Matuthavani Bus stand. Fare Rs.10/- each. From there we took a bus to Virudhunagar and reached home.
In the same complex there are two more gods. One is Aandi (without any worldly possession). This god is believed to be lord subramanya. We cannot make out as there are no symbols of this god like spear, peacock (his vehicle) etc. These are absent may be because he is aandi? This is just a mound. We were asked to offer cigars and lemon. We did.
Then we prayed at lord Samaya (time?). They call him Samaya Karuppu. We also offered him cigars and lemon. This idol is broken into four pieces. The standing statue is only up to the chest. It looks weird. We saw the place people sacrifice goats to him. It is very difficult for many people to digest this form. Fortunately we did not witness any sacrifice. The site has the smell of death. What a way.
Then we came out and boarded a bus to Matuthavani Bus stand. Fare Rs.10/- each. From there we took a bus to Virudhunagar and reached home.
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