NITYAKALYANESWARI AND HER FOUR DISCIPLES
South India is studded with temples to all gods and goddesses of the Hindu pantheon. Though the present day male chavanism belies it ,divinity rests on women in a number of temples and they are worshipped by all. The eastern seahore is studded with temples. About ten centuries ago a temple was built by a local dignitary to Nitya Kalyani and was very popular with the local villagers providing a cultural and worshiping centre and the goddesses gained fame as a divinity with great powers. Even people from far away Mayilapuri and Tiruvamiyur walked to this temple and offered worship to Kalyani. Then things took a turn for the worse and the temple was forgotten and coverd with sand. It was discovered by some itinerant priests who restored it and took it over. Slowly people started trickling in and Nitya Kalyani started smiling again and dispensing favours and providing solace to people.
Mayilapuri and Tiruvamiyur had become part of a great Metropolis and a great motorway was built and more people started coming. Not like old days but people coming for favours and worship was a sideline. The priests made money by conducting marriages. Nityakalyana felt sad but there it was ,something was better than nothing. At early dawn when the sun was just rising Nityakalayani would use her power to divine who would visit her and with what problems. On Tuesday she sudddenly smiled and was pleased with four women who were coming to see her. She was taken by the tall eclectic woman who though a Jain was coming to worship her. People like her are rare and she would give her peace of mind. Next there was this lady who had visited her before years ago when the temple was in a pristine state to conduct her daughter's marriage privately without priests. I knew that social factors would prevent her but blessed her. The third lady was one who had visited her before and whom she had helped. The last was from the land north of Tamil desam - a woman after her own heart who fought for women's rights. Nitya Kalyani was very pleased and decided to give them peace of mind and hope that in the goodness of time they will have their wishes fulfilled. They came and Nityakalyani was pleased with their sincere devotion and piety. She was pleased that they had dressed well to see her. She gave her grace to them and looked longingly when they left wishing more her devotees was like them.
The four ladies decided then to gorge themselves at a nearby garden cafe. The Goddess was a little taken aback but then remembered that she was like that when she was young. As a reminder not to gorge themselves after worship she used her powers to make the food insipid and the waiter goof up!
Raja Ramakrishnan
17th July 2013
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