Maarkhoor
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Kerala: Invoking ‘corona devi’ in fight against Covid-19
KOLLAM: According to Hindu belief, god is omnipresent and can be seen even in a virus. For a temple priest in Kadakkal, Kollam district, this was inspiration enough to start worshiping ‘Corona devi’. And he has installed an idol in a makeshift shrine attached to his house to ward off fear of the virus.
Anilan fashioned the ‘deity’, with its red spikes and sitting on a pallival (sacred sword), from thermocol and set it up against the backdrop of chempattu (red linen cloth).
“My worship of the devi is dedicated to the well-being and longevity of all those engaged in the fight against Covid-19. It is also part of a protest against those who are looking to creating confusion and chaos during these tough days,” he said.
Regarding criticism that he is looking to milk the pandemic to exploit devotees for monetary gain, Anilan said he has no intention to claim any money from anyone in the name of puja or prasadam.
“Nowadays, many people use temples to suit their political interests. While some people want temples to be opened for worship, others oppose it. Behind the opposing points of view is the politics of it all,” he said.
"In fact, the shrine is my attempt to relay a message: That rulers and general public stand united in the fight against the pandemic. Till the time scientists develop a vaccine, we have to continue the fight and pray to ward off fears,” he said.
Anilan said the shrine is not open to the public for worship or darshan. As everyone is involved in the struggle to save their lives, it is not the time to visit temples, he said.
Anilan denied that his intention is to mock certain temple traditions. “I am a true devotee. Being a Hindu, I can worship anyone or anything as god. What matters is faith. I am not asking anyone to follow me," he said.
On whether the shrine could become a source for ridiculing and belittling temple traditions and the time-honoured practice of worshipping various forms of nature, Hindu Aikya Vedi state chief KP Sasikala told TOI that there was nothing wrong in Anilan worshipping ‘corona devi’.
“Everyone knows that corona is a virus and proper treatment is required to cure oneself, if infected. If anyone worships anything in the name of faith it is not wrong, according to Hindu tradition,” Sasikala said.
She said there were several temples dedicated to animals, ethereal beings and even rituals named after diseases like small pox. “There is still an offering called vasoorimala at the Kodungallur Devi temple,” Sasikala said.
https://defence.pk/pdf/forums/central-south-asia.160/create-thread
KOLLAM: According to Hindu belief, god is omnipresent and can be seen even in a virus. For a temple priest in Kadakkal, Kollam district, this was inspiration enough to start worshiping ‘Corona devi’. And he has installed an idol in a makeshift shrine attached to his house to ward off fear of the virus.
Anilan fashioned the ‘deity’, with its red spikes and sitting on a pallival (sacred sword), from thermocol and set it up against the backdrop of chempattu (red linen cloth).
“My worship of the devi is dedicated to the well-being and longevity of all those engaged in the fight against Covid-19. It is also part of a protest against those who are looking to creating confusion and chaos during these tough days,” he said.
Regarding criticism that he is looking to milk the pandemic to exploit devotees for monetary gain, Anilan said he has no intention to claim any money from anyone in the name of puja or prasadam.
“Nowadays, many people use temples to suit their political interests. While some people want temples to be opened for worship, others oppose it. Behind the opposing points of view is the politics of it all,” he said.
"In fact, the shrine is my attempt to relay a message: That rulers and general public stand united in the fight against the pandemic. Till the time scientists develop a vaccine, we have to continue the fight and pray to ward off fears,” he said.
Anilan said the shrine is not open to the public for worship or darshan. As everyone is involved in the struggle to save their lives, it is not the time to visit temples, he said.
Anilan denied that his intention is to mock certain temple traditions. “I am a true devotee. Being a Hindu, I can worship anyone or anything as god. What matters is faith. I am not asking anyone to follow me," he said.
On whether the shrine could become a source for ridiculing and belittling temple traditions and the time-honoured practice of worshipping various forms of nature, Hindu Aikya Vedi state chief KP Sasikala told TOI that there was nothing wrong in Anilan worshipping ‘corona devi’.
“Everyone knows that corona is a virus and proper treatment is required to cure oneself, if infected. If anyone worships anything in the name of faith it is not wrong, according to Hindu tradition,” Sasikala said.
She said there were several temples dedicated to animals, ethereal beings and even rituals named after diseases like small pox. “There is still an offering called vasoorimala at the Kodungallur Devi temple,” Sasikala said.
https://defence.pk/pdf/forums/central-south-asia.160/create-thread
