The ritual are performed at the Sri Mahalakshmi Amman temple by breaking coconut on devotees head
Chief priest A. Periyasamy breaks coconuts on devotees' heads as a part of Aadi festival in Mahalakshmi Amman temple
Karur: Over 20 devotees reportedly suffered bleeding injuries in the bizarre ritual of coconuts being broken on their heads as fulfilment of vows, at the Sri Mahalakshmi Amman temple at Mettu Mahadanapuram, about 15 km from Kulithalai, on Monday. More than 500 devotees took part in the ritual during the celebration of annual Aadi festival where the chief priest broke the coconuts on their heads.
The ritual is the highlight of the two-day annual festival of the temple. A majority of the temple’s kudipaadu belongs to the Kurumbas and some sections of the 24 Manai Telugu Chettiars.A large number of devotees from various parts of the state and from Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh also participated in the festival. This is the 30th successive year that chief priest A. Periyasamy has been performing the ritual. The day began with the Amman returning from the ceremonial procession to the temple and Periyasamy performing abishekam with sanctified waters brought from the Cauvrey river.
A traditional lamp was lit on the temple flag mast. As if in a trance, Periyasamy stood on a slipper made of nails and started breaking coconuts first on the head of seven elders each from the two main communities. He went along the main enclosure breaking coconuts on the head of over 500 devotees. A large number of women participated in the ritual without fear of injury. A medical unit with ambulance and paramedics drawn from Panchampati PHC and Kallapatti PHC waited at the panchayat office to attend to emergency needs.
But even devotees who suffered bleeding injuries refrained from going for treatment due to fear of earning the “ire of the deity” and preferred to apply turmeric or viboothi (sacred ash) on the open wound. In view of the festival, heavy police bandobust under the direct supervision of Kulithalai DSP Kanagaraj was provided at the venue and in Mahadanapuram village.
( Source : dc correspondent )
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