Vada made with hands in boiling oil fetches over Rs 5,000 in auction

The worshippers do make an offering, a vada in this case, but its uniqueness lies in the fact that they are made by two persons who dip their hands in the boiling oil.  

The temple, which comes into its own during the Aadi month, is located at Thurinjikuppam, a small village about 30 kilometres from Vellore. 

According to residents, the ‘special offering’ is made to the deity only once in the month of Aadi every year. As per tradition, childless couples make a vow to offer vadas fried with bare hands to Goddess Amman, in a bid to beget children.

The occasion this time was observed last Sunday, when devotees made Pongal to honour the deity, following which they participated in Sakthi homam and Abishekam. Devotees also pierced their backs with hooks to pull small temple cars and a procession with 108 milk pots.

But the most significant part came when Sekar (59) and Dhandapani (55) arrived on the scene to fry vadas with their hands dipped in the boiling oil. One of the vadas, which was handed over as prasadam, reportedly fetched Rs 5,600 in an auction.

Temple sources said the two workers, both residents of the village, are called upon whenever a childless devotee wishes to fulfil their vow.

Although they were unavailable for a comment when contacted by DTNext, the duo reportedly told the devotees that they believed their ability was a gift from god and hence considered their help as nothing unusual. 

Another specialty of the temple is that turmeric is pounded by a wooden pestle on the stone mortar which is placed on the chest of the person who has made a vow to the deity.