Melrose Temple's Chairman at it again

The Chitra Poovum Kavadi observation began on the 1^st of May 2009 with a flag hoisting prayer at the Melrose Temple in Norwood followed by daily prayers

held at the temple and attended by many devotees. I am one such devotee, observing the daily prayers earnestly, and took a personal vow to fast for the 10 days

Thereby abstaining from all food containing meat, fish and chicken (A strictly vegetarian diet for the entire 10 days, as well as detaching myself from all worldly thoughts

and desires.

My fervent wish and aim was for my fast to be culminated with the final prayer that was held at Melrose Temple on Sunday, 10 May 2009. I chose to carry a brass pot

filled with milk and have 20 body hooks attached to my body (Each accompanied with a flower and a lime). My piercing was completed with a tongue pin

(A straight, long, 20cm pin pierced through my tongue, with entry and exit closures).

Braving the Johannesburg winter cold that Sunday morning, 10 May 2009 my friends and I arrived at the temple promptly at 08:00am. We walked around the temple

praying that Lord Muruga accepts our prayers and personal vows. We then walked over to the adjacent Chinese Park to set up prior to the start of the days proceedings.

The Kavadi procession from the Chinese Park to the temple began at around 10:30am. The procession can only begin once all devotees have been pinned and are in readiness to walk towards the temple; however, to the dismay of all devotees and observers, the procession began with a few devotees left behind still busy being pinned.

The Kavadi procession after walking around the temple three times arrived at the entrance to the temple and devotees were in waiting to offer their milk at the altar.

I was one such devotee.

Upon reaching the doors of the temple, I was rudely and abruptly denied entry into the temple by Mr G Padayachee (Chairman of the Melrose Temple).

I was told that no devotee will be allowed into the temple with body hooks and piercing. I humbly requested Mr Padayachee to allow me to enter as I was not under any trance and was in a state of total corpus mentis.  I have on my previous 9 prayers at Melrose Temple entered with my piercing, with my body wrapped by a shawl. This year was no different; I had my shawl wrapped around my body.

My requests were futile and met with resistance of disgust and non-cooperation from Mr Padayachee. I verbally portrayed my discontentment for all other devotees to witness, I requested my friend to take my pot into the temple to offer at the altar.

My friends and I promptly exited the temple premises. I felt a huge burden on my shoulder as my prayer was left incomplete. We then proceeded to another temple to complete my prayer.

I firmly believe that this prejudicial treatment was totally uncalled for and I was not the only victim of Mr Padayachee’s prejudicial wrath.

Mr Padayachee has been the topic of many other issues of corruptness, fraud and mismanagement of this holy temple. I humbly employ the assistance of all devotees, well wishers and caretakers of Gods teachings to help bring Mr Padayachee to task, thereby, eradicating the negativity, evil and prejudice that he brings along with him.

I eagerly await Mr Padayachee’s response to this issue.

I am confident that his ever popular phrase “It’s a dirty lie” will prevail once again.

Avi  Emlan

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