Mangalore: Thousands witness ‘Seemantha’ of temple cow Lakshmi

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, July 14, 2014:  The Shree Mahalingeshwara Temple at Pandeshwar in the city was witness to a unique ceremony on July 14, Monday.  Thousands of devotees had gathered at the temple to be a part of the grand ‘Seemantha’ or baby shower ceremony of  Lakshmi. Wondering, what’s special  in this ceremony?

 

 

 

 

 

Lakshmi is not the name of any woman, but of a two year old cow, reared at the temple with great affection along with five year old Nandi who is Lakshmi’s companion.

As is normal in any Seemantha ceremony, in this case too Lakshmi was offered all varieties of food including laddu, chakkuli, dosa, fruits, fodder and whatever food she loved. Finally, women  performed Aarati for Lakshmi. The rituals were led by the temple priest SL Ganesh Bhat.

Even Lakshmi’s companion Nandi was present  during the rituals.
The ceremony concluded with a sumptuous feast to the invitees and devotees who had gathered in the temple