Right from her childhood, City-based Suganthi Rose was inspired to collect rare and unique Rosary Beads belonging to various eras. Close to 6000 unique Rosary Beads used by great saints including the one gifted from the Pope is now beautifully decorated at the 'Maadhavin Manigal' museum, owned by Suganthi.
We have heard of people collecting old stamps, coins, antique artifacts but it was indeed fascinating to learn about a person collecting Rosary Beads. Suganthi explained to us of the specialty of every bead and from where it was sourced. We were surprised as she showed us a rare piece of bead gifted by Pope himself. Here's what Suganthi from Sowripalayam shared with us.
'Rosary' is a form of prayer used especially in the Catholic Church named for the string of knots or beads. Praying using Rosary Beads dates back to 1090 AD. This way of worshiping was invented by 'Peter the Hermit' and made popular by St. Dominic in 1208 AD. After my post-graduation, I was fascinated in collecting old coins and stamps. It was then I came across about different types of Rosary Beads used by noble saints from Israel, Egypt, Rome and many other religious places. Since then my fascination to collect Rosary Beads started.
What started just as a hobby a decade back, is now transformed into something worthwhile! Initially, I collected Rosary Beads from nearby places. Transfixed by the history of the Rosary Beads and how it was used by great saints, my passion for collecting beads increased multi-fold. And, it was that passion that made me travel across the globe in search of antique Rosary Beads. Right from the start, I was determined of not seeking help from outsiders to achieve my passion. Hence, I sought financial help from my family to travel across the World. But, above all the immense blessings of the Almighty gave me the ultimate strength to travel places.
As I traveled, I was spell-bound to learn about the intriguing facts about Rosary Beads. One among them was the 'Catacombs'. During the 2nd century in Rome, several thousands of people were killed mercilessly for believing and preaching Christianity. Those people who lost their precious life for the sake of God were looked up as great saints. Using their holy bones, devotees created Rosary Beads, which were called as 'Catacombs'. How lucky and blessed am I to own one such Catacomb at my 'Maadhavin Manigal' museum', said Suganthi very devoutly.
'In 2014, Rev. L.Thomas Aquinas. Bishop of Coimbatore inaugurated my museum and appreciated my spiritual services. I wrote a letter to Pope Francis narrating about my museum and my passion towards Rosary Beads. Within a few weeks, I received a letter of appreciation from the Pope himself along with a gift, a beautiful 'Rosary Bead'. It was a dream come true moment!', gleams Suganthi.
Suganthi also shares that meditating using Rosary Beads will help people alleviate from many diseases and attain tranquility. Tourists from several parts of the world including United States, Europe, Italy, Britain, Australia visit Suganthi's Museum which showcases close to 6000 unique Rosary Beads. Suganthi claims that the tourist regard themselves very lucky to have witnessed such masterpieces all in one go.
Suganthi also showed us a piece of a small rock which she claims to have extracted from the Holy site, Mount Sinai in Egypt. 'It is a great blessing to have all these timeless treasures with me. I wish people to witness these immortal fortunes and seek the blessing of the Almighty' Suganthi said in a very pious tone.
Suganthi's museum is at Sowripalayam and is open for public from 10 am to 6:30 pm, all through the week.
We have heard of people collecting old stamps, coins, antique artifacts but it was indeed fascinating to learn about a person collecting Rosary Beads. Suganthi explained to us of the specialty of every bead and from where it was sourced. We were surprised as she showed us a rare piece of bead gifted by Pope himself. Here's what Suganthi from Sowripalayam shared with us.
'Rosary' is a form of prayer used especially in the Catholic Church named for the string of knots or beads. Praying using Rosary Beads dates back to 1090 AD. This way of worshiping was invented by 'Peter the Hermit' and made popular by St. Dominic in 1208 AD. After my post-graduation, I was fascinated in collecting old coins and stamps. It was then I came across about different types of Rosary Beads used by noble saints from Israel, Egypt, Rome and many other religious places. Since then my fascination to collect Rosary Beads started.
What started just as a hobby a decade back, is now transformed into something worthwhile! Initially, I collected Rosary Beads from nearby places. Transfixed by the history of the Rosary Beads and how it was used by great saints, my passion for collecting beads increased multi-fold. And, it was that passion that made me travel across the globe in search of antique Rosary Beads. Right from the start, I was determined of not seeking help from outsiders to achieve my passion. Hence, I sought financial help from my family to travel across the World. But, above all the immense blessings of the Almighty gave me the ultimate strength to travel places.
As I traveled, I was spell-bound to learn about the intriguing facts about Rosary Beads. One among them was the 'Catacombs'. During the 2nd century in Rome, several thousands of people were killed mercilessly for believing and preaching Christianity. Those people who lost their precious life for the sake of God were looked up as great saints. Using their holy bones, devotees created Rosary Beads, which were called as 'Catacombs'. How lucky and blessed am I to own one such Catacomb at my 'Maadhavin Manigal' museum', said Suganthi very devoutly.
'In 2014, Rev. L.Thomas Aquinas. Bishop of Coimbatore inaugurated my museum and appreciated my spiritual services. I wrote a letter to Pope Francis narrating about my museum and my passion towards Rosary Beads. Within a few weeks, I received a letter of appreciation from the Pope himself along with a gift, a beautiful 'Rosary Bead'. It was a dream come true moment!', gleams Suganthi.
Suganthi also shares that meditating using Rosary Beads will help people alleviate from many diseases and attain tranquility. Tourists from several parts of the world including United States, Europe, Italy, Britain, Australia visit Suganthi's Museum which showcases close to 6000 unique Rosary Beads. Suganthi claims that the tourist regard themselves very lucky to have witnessed such masterpieces all in one go.
Suganthi also showed us a piece of a small rock which she claims to have extracted from the Holy site, Mount Sinai in Egypt. 'It is a great blessing to have all these timeless treasures with me. I wish people to witness these immortal fortunes and seek the blessing of the Almighty' Suganthi said in a very pious tone.
Suganthi's museum is at Sowripalayam and is open for public from 10 am to 6:30 pm, all through the week.