The concept of a Hundi kept in the pooja of homes in olden days was something every one of us would recall. Whenever God's blessing was required for a new venture or for safety during a yatra or for the success in a school or college exam or to overcome illness or just any auspicious occasion, a coin or a currency note would get dropped into it. Decades back, when monthly salary would be received in cash, much before cheques and subsequently direct credit to the employee's bank account came into vogue, it was customary to first keep the salary cover at the altar, and make the first disbursement to God by dropping a small portion into this Hundi. When annual bonus was received or the occasion was a more important one, a larger sum would be deposited!
More often, these small hundis, generally of a used tin box of brands such as 'Ovaltine' or 'Ragimalt' or 'Mangarams', doubled up as piggy bank too. In olden times of low incomes and frugal living, these hundis doubled up as lender of the last resort or merely as an ATM, when such facilities were unheard of. Whenever such withdrawals were made by the housewife she would leave a chit of paper with noting of the amount removed and promptly replace it with a little more, than what was taken out, by way of interest! These hundis also doubled as coin vending machines when smaller denomination where required.
Some houses had multiple hundis, one for each deity. My grandmother used to have one for Suraikayur Ayyanar another for Vaitheeswaran Koil.
The collections would then get carried and dropped into the temple's hundi in whose Lord's name it was maintained or, as in the case of Suraikayur, they would be sent by money order upon receipt of the annual navarathri celebration notice from late Doraiswamy Sivachariariar (Pattani vadhyar) who was the priest in charge of the Ayyanar temple for many decades. Many devotees of yesteryears will recall this person who used to live in Agaramangudi, the neighbouring village.
The younger generations may wonder if this hundi business was some way of bribing the Lord for his grace to be bestowed upon us! Well it was not. It was the way of our forefather's to make contribution to the cause of a temple without feeling any pinch when they were required.
The smallness of our community, which considers the Suraikayur Maha Sastha as its Kuladeivam, and the ever increasing costs of maintenance make it imperative for everyone to make regular contributions to the common cause. While some of us may not mind making a periodically lump sum, others can choose to make a regular monthly contribution.
Given the depleting reserves, I guess, the time has now come to revert back to the old ways of our grandparents in contributing to the Ayyanar Koil. It may not be through the domestic hundi system, but to the designated bank account of Sri Maha Sastha temple, if we are to sustain affairs at the temple. Let us join hands in this divine duty.
More often, these small hundis, generally of a used tin box of brands such as 'Ovaltine' or 'Ragimalt' or 'Mangarams', doubled up as piggy bank too. In olden times of low incomes and frugal living, these hundis doubled up as lender of the last resort or merely as an ATM, when such facilities were unheard of. Whenever such withdrawals were made by the housewife she would leave a chit of paper with noting of the amount removed and promptly replace it with a little more, than what was taken out, by way of interest! These hundis also doubled as coin vending machines when smaller denomination where required.
Some houses had multiple hundis, one for each deity. My grandmother used to have one for Suraikayur Ayyanar another for Vaitheeswaran Koil.
The collections would then get carried and dropped into the temple's hundi in whose Lord's name it was maintained or, as in the case of Suraikayur, they would be sent by money order upon receipt of the annual navarathri celebration notice from late Doraiswamy Sivachariariar (Pattani vadhyar) who was the priest in charge of the Ayyanar temple for many decades. Many devotees of yesteryears will recall this person who used to live in Agaramangudi, the neighbouring village.
The younger generations may wonder if this hundi business was some way of bribing the Lord for his grace to be bestowed upon us! Well it was not. It was the way of our forefather's to make contribution to the cause of a temple without feeling any pinch when they were required.
The smallness of our community, which considers the Suraikayur Maha Sastha as its Kuladeivam, and the ever increasing costs of maintenance make it imperative for everyone to make regular contributions to the common cause. While some of us may not mind making a periodically lump sum, others can choose to make a regular monthly contribution.
Given the depleting reserves, I guess, the time has now come to revert back to the old ways of our grandparents in contributing to the Ayyanar Koil. It may not be through the domestic hundi system, but to the designated bank account of Sri Maha Sastha temple, if we are to sustain affairs at the temple. Let us join hands in this divine duty.
2 comments:
It's a fantastic idea!. We are starting a hundi at home today... for Suraikayur -
Very Good idea. We are starting one hundi today for Surakkayur Ayyanar
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