Meenakshi Vs. Ross Peter & Hid White Stallion

Thyagarajan · Oct 31, 2017

Thyagarajan said: ↑

At a time when undivided India was under British empire, an officer from Great Britain was posted by the then Queen Victoria to Madura - now known as Madurai - a city in the erstwhile Madras Presidency of South India. He reluctantly arrived sometime in the year 1812, assumed charges of District Collector of Madura.

He was totally immersed in the city’s governance and soon got quite acclimatized to nuances of the local culture. He witnessed thousands of devotees collecting around Goddess Meenakshi temple, thronging in and around the shadow cast by towering seven-tier pinnacles and of the domes above the sanctum sanctorum. During popular festivals including chithirai thiruvizha (summer festival), the place attracted thousands from outstations and even from Far East. He was greatly moved and impressed by the faith of the devotees of Goddess Meenakshi.

This impression had led him to a profound yearning and quest to enter the temple to have a look at the main deity at her sanctum. Under the extant rules of admission to the temple, authorities barred entry to followers of other faiths and religion to the temple and or sanctum. He being a Christian and given to respect other religions and their sensibilities, he did not force an entry into the temple. Day in and day out, this nagging thought of not being able to see the Deity at her sanctum was weighing heavily on him.

Just around dawn, rain or shine, everyday he used to go around the city. Sitting on a saddle on his fully tacked white tall horse, he used to commence his rounds beginning at the temple, circumambulating the outskirts of huge Madurai Meenakshi temple complex. Residents and bystanders around the temple stood-still in awe, to watch him seated majestically on a robust stout shining horse with his booted-feet supported in glistening metal stirrups on either side. His profound desire to witness the Goddess and proceedings at her sanctum of the temple grew stronger day by day.

Two seasons went by.

It was vee hours of the sultry summer night, when he was all alone in deep sleep; he felt he had heard intermittent jingling mixed with chuckle and chortle. He woke up lazily to distant musical and rhythmic sound and then to his delight he saw without batting an eyelid, an angelic girl with a resplendent countenance radiating effulgence that dispelled the surrounding darkness stood tapping her foot at a distance; it was awesome to look at the bright aura behind her, her tresses tumblr styled, head bedecked with a gem-studded golden crown and wearing a flowing dark red skirt and a silk blouse.

The ankles of her feet were tied with the small musical anklets (metallic bells strung-together). The girl was tapping her foot steadily and softly, beckoning him with her stretched forehands and crooked fingers to come close to her. He stood up lazily in darkness rubbing his eyes softly and stepped slowly toward her. But the distance between him and the girl was lengthening, as the girl was moving backwards producing hypnotizing intermittent rhythmic musical sound emanating from her anklets. He was following her for some time through large hall, long foyer and along the mud-laden tree-lined streets. At last, he found the girl had made him run and panting.

They both had almost reached the main entrance of the Meenakshi temple complex. A pair of highly crafted ornated thick closed huge wooden doors fixed with numerous metallic bells stood blocking the entrance of the temple.

At that juncture he felt the nip in the air which turned tad windy, blowing with a roar and kicked out blinding dust vortex followed by an eerie lightning and deafening thunder that pierced across the entire city. He simultaneously saw the angelic girl transformed into an exquisite woman waving slowly at him while aura receding behind her, she passed through the doors and into the temple. She vanished from his view which had left him nonplussed for a while. It was dark around him.

In lashing rains, he went homewards totally drenched, only to find to his astonishment that his bungalow - an edifice that it was - razed to the ground and stood in a heap of debris. At the same time, the sight of his white stallion standing tall, looking at the distance rubble and kicking in its stable in the far corner warmed his heart. The horse shifted its gaze from the rubble to the master in proximity, its eyes welled-up; acknowledging master’s presence, it lifted its tail, neighed heavily, nodding its head vertically up and down.

Ross Peter believed and concluded in his heart of heart that Goddess Meenakshi arrived in good time and granted apparition to escort him to safety and saved his horse and him. Many in the city too believed that he and his horse were saved due to the very act of his regular circumambulation on that horse during every dawn the shrine of Meenakshi temple with intense contemplation of the Goddess at Her sanctum.

As a show of his eternal gratefulness and indebtedness to Goddess Meenakshi, in consultation with chief priest and authorities of the temple, Rose Peter donated a pair of highly decorated golden shoes weighing 28 tolas (A tola is approximately 11.5 grams) studded with 412 red stones, 72 emeralds, 80 diamonds and cat’s eye, pearls, sapphires. Even to this day, during temple festivals, temple authorities use these golden shoes to decorate and embellish replica of Goddess Meenakshi idol before the latter is taken on a tacked horse around within the precincts and the broad streets around the Meenakshi temple.
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@mushroomm May I thank you for clicking to record your liking the anecdote & look forward to your posting of your impression about it.
Regards. May God Bless Us All.

Viswamitra · Nov 1, 2017

Dear Sri Thyagarajan:

What a delightful snippet this is to learn about Ross Peter and his longing to visit Meenakshi Temple. His wish to visit the temple perhaps made him think about Meenakshi round the clock. She eventually came to the rescue of her strongest devotee from the danger. The Temple itself has so much history that would take a lot of time to learn. Every spot inside the temple has history. I am glad that the Temple is honoring Ross Peter's donation to the Goddess even today.

Viswa

Thyagarajan · Nov 1, 2017

Viswamitra said: ↑

Dear Sri Thyagarajan:

What a delightful snippet this is to learn about Ross Peter and his longing to visit Meenakshi Temple. His wish to visit the temple perhaps made him think about Meenakshi round the clock. She eventually came to the rescue of her strongest devotee from the danger. The Temple itself has so much history that would take a lot of time to learn. Every spot inside the temple has history. I am glad that the Temple is honoring Ross Peter's donation to the Goddess even today.

Viswa
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I FEEL TOUCHED WITH YOUR OPENNING REMARKS!
Thank you and Regards. God Bless Us All.

Jeeves · Dec 1, 2017

Thyagarajan said: ↑

At a time when undivided India was under British empire, an officer from Great Britain was posted by the then Queen Victoria to Madura - now known as Madurai - a city in the erstwhile Madras Presidency of South India. He reluctantly arrived sometime in the year 1812, assumed charges of District Collector of Madura.

He was totally immersed in the city’s governance and soon got quite acclimatized to nuances of the local culture. He witnessed thousands of devotees collecting around Goddess Meenakshi temple, thronging in and around the shadow cast by towering seven-tier pinnacles and of the domes above the sanctum sanctorum. During popular festivals including chithirai thiruvizha (summer festival), the place attracted thousands from outstations and even from Far East. He was greatly moved and impressed by the faith of the devotees of Goddess Meenakshi.

This impression had led him to a profound yearning and quest to enter the temple to have a look at the main deity at her sanctum. Under the extant rules of admission to the temple, authorities barred entry to followers of other faiths and religion to the temple and or sanctum. He being a Christian and given to respect other religions and their sensibilities, he did not force an entry into the temple. Day in and day out, this nagging thought of not being able to see the Deity at her sanctum was weighing heavily on him.

Just around dawn, rain or shine, everyday he used to go around the city. Sitting on a saddle on his fully tacked white tall horse, he used to commence his rounds beginning at the temple, circumambulating the outskirts of huge Madurai Meenakshi temple complex. Residents and bystanders around the temple stood-still in awe, to watch him seated majestically on a robust stout shining horse with his booted-feet supported in glistening metal stirrups on either side. His profound desire to witness the Goddess and proceedings at her sanctum of the temple grew stronger day by day.

Two seasons went by.

It was vee hours of the sultry summer night, when he was all alone in deep sleep; he felt he had heard intermittent jingling mixed with chuckle and chortle. He woke up lazily to distant musical and rhythmic sound and then to his delight he saw without batting an eyelid, an angelic girl with a resplendent countenance radiating effulgence that dispelled the surrounding darkness stood tapping her foot at a distance; it was awesome to look at the bright aura behind her, her tresses tumblr styled, head bedecked with a gem-studded golden crown and wearing a flowing dark red skirt and a silk blouse.

The ankles of her feet were tied with the small musical anklets (metallic bells strung-together). The girl was tapping her foot steadily and softly, beckoning him with her stretched forehands and crooked fingers to come close to her. He stood up lazily in darkness rubbing his eyes softly and stepped slowly toward her. But the distance between him and the girl was lengthening, as the girl was moving backwards producing hypnotizing intermittent rhythmic musical sound emanating from her anklets. He was following her for some time through large hall, long foyer and along the mud-laden tree-lined streets. At last, he found the girl had made him run and panting.

They both had almost reached the main entrance of the Meenakshi temple complex. A pair of highly crafted ornated thick closed huge wooden doors fixed with numerous metallic bells stood blocking the entrance of the temple.

At that juncture he felt the nip in the air which turned tad windy, blowing with a roar and kicked out blinding dust vortex followed by an eerie lightning and deafening thunder that pierced across the entire city. He simultaneously saw the angelic girl transformed into an exquisite woman waving slowly at him while aura receding behind her, she passed through the doors and into the temple. She vanished from his view which had left him nonplussed for a while. It was dark around him.

In lashing rains, he went homewards totally drenched, only to find to his astonishment that his bungalow - an edifice that it was - razed to the ground and stood in a heap of debris. At the same time, the sight of his white stallion standing tall, looking at the distance rubble and kicking in its stable in the far corner warmed his heart. The horse shifted its gaze from the rubble to the master in proximity, its eyes welled-up; acknowledging master’s presence, it lifted its tail, neighed heavily, nodding its head vertically up and down.

Ross Peter believed and concluded in his heart of heart that Goddess Meenakshi arrived in good time and granted apparition to escort him to safety and saved his horse and him. Many in the city too believed that he and his horse were saved due to the very act of his regular circumambulation on that horse during every dawn the shrine of Meenakshi temple with intense contemplation of the Goddess at Her sanctum.

As a show of his eternal gratefulness and indebtedness to Goddess Meenakshi, in consultation with chief priest and authorities of the temple, Rose Peter donated a pair of highly decorated golden shoes weighing 28 tolas (A tola is approximately 11.5 grams) studded with 412 red stones, 72 emeralds, 80 diamonds and cat’s eye, pearls, sapphires. Even to this day, during temple festivals, temple authorities use these golden shoes to decorate and embellish replica of Goddess Meenakshi idol before the latter is taken on a tacked horse around within the precincts and the broad streets around the Meenakshi temple.
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How many ever times one listens to this , one is not tired!! Beautifully narrated ))

Thyagarajan · Dec 1, 2017

Jeeves said: ↑

How many ever times one listens to this , one is not tired!! Beautifully narrated ))
Click to expand...

Thank you. Meenakshi meemudam dehi ..... you reminded me the song In Ragam poorvi Kalyani. Listening to The song rendered superbly with delectable Aalapana by Smti Sudha Ragunathan available in u tube, one sure to enjoy "time stood-still" .
Regards.

Jeeves · Dec 1, 2017

Thyagarajan said: ↑

Thank you. Meenakshi meemudam dehi ..... you reminded me the song In Ragam poorvi Kalyani. Listening to The song rendered superbly with delectable Aalapana by Smti Sudha Ragunathan available in u tube, one sure to enjoy "time stood-still" .
Regards.
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I love that song...I love Deekshithar Krithis...He was a Divine Person..
I often picture myself seated among the snow capped mountains of Himalayas and singing Meenaakshi..( Poorvi kalyaani ) )) and having a Darshan of the cosmic Dancer and His wife...Meenakshi

GeetaKashyap · Dec 2, 2017

@Thyagarajan

Wow! What a wonderful snippet of the divine experience! Thanks for sharing.

Thyagarajan · Jul 23, 2022

Update to main post
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What's the significance of the Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple apart from its architectural brilliance? - Hinduism way of life...

What's the significance of the Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple apart from its architectural brilliance? - Hinduism way of life...

Thyagarajan · Aug 7, 2022

I happen to read in Quora more of Madurai Temple History And the Lord sundareswarar & His Consort. I was astounded with some facts which hitherto not known to me. I slightly edited copied below thanks to quora for easy read and dissemination. Here goes additional information.

This world renowned is dedicated to Goddess Parvati, known as Meenakshi, and to her consort, Shiva, here named Sundareswarar.

The huge shrine now in worship was not the one built by the ancient people when Meenakshi Amman believed to have actually lived. It was rebuilt by Thirumalai Naikar - one of the greatest kings to be considered in history of Madurai - who cared so much about the welfare of the people. He should also be remembered whenever we utter this temple’s name.

HISTORY :

According to legend, the sacred Suyambulingam discovered by the king of Gods indira at Kadambavanam, was later enshrined by him in Madurai. The fact that the Lord is seen on the vehicle of Indira in this temple is said to be proof for this.

Many historical evidences of the temple have been found dating back from early A.D. The temple was almost completely destroyed in the year 1310 following the invasion of the Islamic conqueror Malikkapur kings who were followers of Islam were noted for their intolerance towards other religions, the invaders destroyed most of the ancient sculptures of the temple.

Thirugnanasambandar the Hindu Saint has mentioned the temple in his songs which goes back into early 7th century. The Lord has been described as Alavai Iraivan in his songs.The temple was restored to its pristine glory in the late 14th century when the Hindu Kings came back to power in Madurai.This can also be termed as a new beginning of a new era in the history of the temple, when it was almost rebuilt.
PAINTINGS :
The drawings depicting incidents of the Thiruvilayadal or miraculous dramas of Lord Shiva belong to the Naicker period. There are paintings depicting the 64 miracles of Lord Shiva, all which were enacted in Madurai. These aesthetic drawings can be seen on the northern wall facing the Pottamarai kulam of tank of the golden lotus. These drawings are at present being given a facelift by using natural dyes at a cost of Rs 26.25 lakhs.
HOLY TANK :

It was in this pond that the Golden Lotus for Indra to perform his pooja bloomed. This pond is also known as Adhi Theertham, Sivaganga and Uthama Theertham. This pond is situated within the temple complex. This theertham was created by Lord Sivaperuman by thrusting his Soolam (three pronged spear) into the earth in deference to the plea of Nandhi Devar and other deities. It was here, that the plank of Sangam appeared and established greatness of the moral text called Thirukkural. It was here that Chockalingam was found by the grace of the Lord, by the first Guru of Dharmapura Adheenam and Saint Srilasri Guru Gnanasambandar. In keeping with the boons granted by the Lord to a stork, upto this date no fish nor other life is found in this miraculous sacred pond. Since this theertam was created before all other theerthams, it is known as Adhi Theertham; because it is much greater in importance than all other theerthams, it is also called Parama Theertham. Also known as gyna Theertham as it confers prosperity on all who immerse in it.
As it grants heavenly abode it is also called Mukthi Theertham and as Sivaganga because the water from Ganga from the head of Lord Siva confluences with it and as Uthama Theertham because of its purity than any other theertham..

Every temple is unique in its own way the temple forms the heart and lifeline of the 2,500-year-old city of Madurai. It is said that the temple was originally built in the 6th century BC by survivors of the Kumari Kandam.