At a time when the special CBI court acquitted the 32 accused in the Babri Masjid demolition case, saying that the demolition was not ‘pre-planned’ but 'spontaneous', it’s time we learned about a small Hindu temple built by a Muslim in a village near Avinashi in Tirupur district around two centuries ago.
At a time when the special CBI court acquitted the 32 accused in the Babri Masjid demolition case, saying that the demolition was not ‘pre-planned’ but 'spontaneous', it’s time we learned about a small Hindu temple built by a Muslim in a village near Avinashi in Tirupur district around two centuries ago.
Members of the Veerarajendran Archeological and Historical Research Centre, a Tirupur-based organization, stumbled upon the temple in a village near Avinashi. The shrine of Goddess Mariamman, stands with a dome on the Gopuram resembling a mosque!
At a time when the special CBI court acquitted the 32 accused in the Babri Masjid demolition case, saying that the demolition was not ‘pre-planned’ but 'spontaneous', it’s time we learned about a small Hindu temple built by a Muslim in a village near Avinashi in Tirupur district around two centuries ago.
Members of the Veerarajendran Archeological and Historical Research Centre, a Tirupur-based organization, stumbled upon the temple in a village near Avinashi. The shrine of Goddess Mariamman, stands with a dome on the Gopuram resembling a mosque!
Ravikumar, director of the organization, says, “Hyder Ali, the ruler of Mysore kingdom, brought the Kongu region under his control and established many colonies for the stay of his army soldiers. And one such colony was 'Ravuthampalayam' near Avinashi, a junction connecting the villages of south and north Kongu regions. It may be noted that Avinashi is located on the road connecting the South Kongu region and Sathyamangalam, through which one can reach Srirangapattinam, the capital of the then Mysore kingdom”
Ravi adds that Hyder appointed even officers to look after the administration of different provinces and villages.
“The residents of Ravuthampalayam say that one such officer and commander of the cavalry was 'Ravuthar'. The Muslim officer secured a place in the hearts of the people by implementing several welfare schemes to them as the reduction in tax, security to merchants from the attack of highwaymen, and so on “explains Ravi.
But, Ravuthar soon became helpless when his child got afflicted with measles.
Though the disease smallpox or chickenpox is rare today, people of the yesteryear Coimbatore referred them to a Goddess and believed that it was nothing but the 'arrival' of the deity Mariamman. On coming across a person with the disease, they would say “Mariyaatha Vanthirukku” (Goddess Mariamman has come). Nevertheless, the people had their indigenous ‘divine’ methods of treating the patient by making him or her lie on a white cotton dhoti, applying the paste of neem leaves on the blisters, feeding with tender coconuts and rock candy made of palmyra sap. Moreover, a string of peeled small onions tied around the patient’s neck would be the first identity to recognize the 'arrival' of Maariyaatha in the person!
“And Ravuthar too worshiped the Hindu deity Mariamman and treated his child the 'divine' way. As the little one soon recovered from the disease, the Muslim officer thanked the deity and constructed a temple for Her” says Ravi.
He also points out that the people, moved by the Muslim officer's cordial act, named their village after him as ' Ravuthampalayam'
“Till today they continue the tradition by naming their children after the Ravuthar. A friend of mine lives at Kanjikoil, a village near Perundurai. Though he is a Hindu by birth, his name is C. Ravuthan’! ” avers Ravi. “Hyder Ali, the ruler of Mysore kingdom, brought the Kongu region under his control and established many colonies for the stay of his army soldiers. And one such colony was 'Ravuthampalayam' near Avinashi, a junction connecting the villages of south and north Kongu regions. It may be noted that Avinashi is located on the road connecting the South Kongu region and Sathyamangalam, through which one can reach Srirangapattinam, the capital of the then Mysore kingdom”
Ravi adds that Hyder appointed even officers to look after the administration of different provinces and villages.
“The residents of Ravuthampalayam say that one such officer and commander of the cavalry was 'Ravuthar'. The Muslim officer secured a place in the hearts of the people by implementing several welfare schemes to them as the reduction in tax, security to merchants from the attack of highwaymen, and so on “explains Ravi.
But, Ravuthar soon became helpless when his child got afflicted with measles.
Though the disease smallpox or chickenpox is rare today, people of the yesteryear Coimbatore referred them to a Goddess and believed that it was nothing but the 'arrival' of the deity Mariamman. On coming across a person with the disease, they would say “Mariyaatha Vanthirukku” (Goddess Mariamman has come). Nevertheless, the people had their indigenous ‘divine’ methods of treating the patient by making him or her lie on a white cotton dhoti, applying the paste of neem leaves on the blisters, feeding with tender coconuts and rock candy made of palmyra sap. Moreover, a string of peeled small onions tied around the patient’s neck would be the first identity to recognize the 'arrival' of Maariyaatha in the person!
“And Ravuthar too worshiped the Hindu deity Mariamman and treated his child the 'divine' way. As the little one soon recovered from the disease, the Muslim officer thanked the deity and constructed a temple for Her” says Ravi.
He also points out that the people, moved by the Muslim officer's cordial act, named their village after him as ' Ravuthampalayam'
“Till today they continue the tradition by naming their children after the Ravuthar. A friend of mine lives at Kanjikoil, a village near Perundurai. Though he is a Hindu by birth, his name is C. Ravuthan’! ” avers Ravi.