03/06/2026
Meenakshi Temple in Madurai - little known facts
Goddess Meenakshi's miraculous darshan to a British Officer in Madurai
Goddess Meenakshi's miraculous darshan to a British Officer in Madurai
Do you know about Peter Padukas of Goddess Meenakshi?
This happened more than 200 years ago. Rous Peter was the collector of the temple town of Madurai from 1812-1828. The famous Meenakshi temple also was under his administration. He respected other religions, so went about the temple administration also with great respect and sincerity.
Meenakshi and Sundareshwar (Parvati and Shiva)
Every day, on his way to his office, he crossed the temple. He would get down from his horse, remove his hat and boots, offer his salutations to Sri Meenakshi and carry the boots in his hands till he crossed the temple.
This noble trait earned him the popular nickname ‘Peter Pandian'. The title ‘Pandya’ is associated with the dynasty of the great kings who ruled in South India, with Madurai as their capital.
One night it rained heavily. The river Vaigai began to overflow. Peter who was sleeping in his residence was woken up by the sound which was similar to the tinkling of anklets. He woke up and found a little girl, about three years old dressed in the typical silk pavada (silk long skirt or lehenga) and wearing beautiful ornaments in his room.
She held his hand and with the words: “Peter come, Peter come”, she almost dragged him out of his residence. The moment he came out, lightning struck his house and it collapsed. Peter was stunned. He looked back and saw the little girl running in the direction of the temple. He only heard the sound of the anklets and also noticed that she ran barefoot!
Peter was convinced that it was Devi Meenakshi herself who had come in the little girl’s form to save him. To express his gratitude to Goddess Meenakshi, he decided to offer something to her. Since she had come barefooted to his residence, he decided to offer to her, a pair of golden stirrups to cover her feet.
It is thus that the pair of Paadhukams consisting of
412 rubies,
72 emeralds,
and 80 diamonds
These were donated to the temple.
When Rous Peter retired from service , he refused to go back to England and settled in Madurai . The name ‘Peter’ was engraved behind the stirrups. Even to this day, during the Chithirai festival, on the panchami (fifth) day, when Goddess Meenakshi rides on her ashwa (horse) vahana, these stirrups adorn her feet. They are also known as “Peter Padukam”.
There are many more powerful and real tales from Hinduism and spirituality that we must share with our children and other adults alike.
Still they are safeguarding the shoes in the temple and every year at the time of 'Chitra Festival', Utsava moorthy of Lord Meenakshi wears that shoe. This is the real incidence happened for the respect given to the Hindu God by the collector.
Do you know about Peter Padukas of Goddess Meenakshi?
This happened more than 200 years ago. Rous Peter was the collector of the temple town of Madurai from 1812-1828. The famous Meenakshi temple also was under his administration. He respected other religions, so went about the temple administration also with great respect and sincerity.
Meenakshi and Sundareshwar (Parvati and Shiva)
Every day, on his way to his office, he crossed the temple. He would get down from his horse, remove his hat and boots, offer his salutations to Sri Meenakshi and carry the boots in his hands till he crossed the temple.
This noble trait earned him the popular nickname ‘Peter Pandian'. The title ‘Pandya’ is associated with the dynasty of the great kings who ruled in South India, with Madurai as their capital.
One night it rained heavily. The river Vaigai began to overflow. Peter who was sleeping in his residence was woken up by the sound which was similar to the tinkling of anklets. He woke up and found a little girl, about three years old dressed in the typical silk pavada (silk long skirt or lehenga) and wearing beautiful ornaments in his room.
She held his hand and with the words: “Peter come, Peter come”, she almost dragged him out of his residence. The moment he came out, lightning struck his house and it collapsed. Peter was stunned. He looked back and saw the little girl running in the direction of the temple. He only heard the sound of the anklets and also noticed that she ran barefoot!
Peter was convinced that it was Devi Meenakshi herself who had come in the little girl’s form to save him. To express his gratitude to Goddess Meenakshi, he decided to offer something to her. Since she had come barefooted to his residence, he decided to offer to her, a pair of golden stirrups to cover her feet.
It is thus that the pair of Paadhukams consisting of
412 rubies,
72 emeralds,
and 80 diamonds
These were donated to the temple.
When Rous Peter retired from service , he refused to go back to England and settled in Madurai . The name ‘Peter’ was engraved behind the stirrups. Even to this day, during the Chithirai festival, on the panchami (fifth) day, when Goddess Meenakshi rides on her ashwa (horse) vahana, these stirrups adorn her feet. They are also known as “Peter Padukam”.
There are many more powerful and real tales from Hinduism and spirituality that we must share with our children and other adults alike.
Still they are safeguarding the shoes in the temple and every year at the time of 'Chitra Festival', Utsava moorthy of Lord Meenakshi wears that shoe. This is the real incidence happened for the respect given to the Hindu God by the collector.
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