Idol Worship is the Ideal Worship - My Misconception
“They exchanged the truth of God for a lie and worshiped and served created things than the Creator, who is forever praised – Rom 1:25 (NIV)”
I am 63 years young and had been a staunch believer of Hindu religion for generations. I and my wife, two sons and daughter were strong and ardent devotees and worshipers of goddess Adhi Parasakthi of Mel Maruvathur and the deity of Thiruchendur. As I was serving in the Indian Air Force mostly in North India, my mother had made a covenant that whenever I visit our native place, I would also visit the temple at Trichendur. Thus I had visited Trichendur more than 25 times. I had also visited all other famous Murugan Shrines in other places in Tamil Nadu. I had also gone to other Hindu temples at Kanyakumari, Madurai, Samayapuram, Pillaiyarpatti, Rameswaram, Tirupathi, Varanasi etc. I had been instrumental for construction of a big Murugan Temple at Air Force Station, Chandigarh. I had been one of the Executive Committee Members of Lord Ganesh Temple in our neighbourhood, Ganesh Nagar of Chitlapakkam area in Chennai. I had also written, acted, directed and produced a Tamil Drama “Sakthi Oli” (Light of Goddess Sakthi) in a big spiritual conference in Madurai in 1985. I had also performed Hari Katha Kalatchepam for more than 100 times depicting the glory of Lord Murugan. Our entire family members used to wear only red colour dress as a mark and identity of Sakthi cult on all Tuesdays, Fridays, full moon and other auspicious days and do special pujas and annadhanams (free distribution of food to poor people). We have conducted innumerable pujas and rituals like Kalasam (carrying pots), Vilakku
(lights) and Vezhvi (sacred fire) in our house and also in temples. I have read many Hindu scriptures like Bhagavat Gita, Ramayana and Mahabaratha and the works of Swami Vivekananda, Ramalinga Swamigal and many others. We were fully convinced and proud to be a staunch Hindu. Every year all the members of our family used to fast and go to Mel Maruvathur Temple with Irumudi (twin pack containing items for worship and the offerings). We were a god fearing, happy and contented family and used to be respected by all the neighbours for our strong and true religious beliefs and practices.