Madurai Meenakshi Amman idols

There is something special about Madurai Meenakshi Devi. I have always adored the gorgeous, stunningly beautiful idol. I remember that as a child, one of the first small brass idols I got was Madurai Meenakshi (other being Krishna). And after that, I have had some more fascinatingly crafted Meenakshi idols join me, but the unique thing is that I always bought these idols as a surprise purchase, never going to a shop looking for Her in particular, usually going to buy some other God idol or walking in for idle browsing, but in the case of each idol I have now, the said idol has suddenly “spoken” to my soul and made up my mind in an instant that they are coming home with me, often becoming the very central purchase of that trip. 

This first happened with my biggest Meenakshi idol. I had gone to an exhibition with the intention to maybe buy something small, without any real clear picture in my mind. And there She was, in all her splendour. With glowing emerald-toned skin, and red saree, the three-foot plus idol looked marvellous. I knew that moment that She was coming home with me, and sure enough, She has been with me ever since. In the course of years, the paint on the jewellery and clothes have become dull and needed repainting. But to this date, the glow in the face has remained exactly the same, and the whole body colour and her facial features look just as they did on day one. The paint in those parts have not aged or faded at all. I have no explanation for this - none that human reasoning can grasp, at any rate. 

Later another year, in Poompuhar, where I had gone looking for another brass idol, I suddenly came face to face with a papier-mâché Madurai Meenakshi, all golden coloured and gorgeous. Sure enough, She won me over at first sight and has come home as well. The same thing happened with a white metal Meenakshi whom I found and brought home while searching for a fibreglass Ganapathi. 

The latest to bless my home is the beautiful custom handmade baby Madurai Meenakshi doll, Balameenakshi. I was not searching for custom vinyl idols, but She came to me as always, suddenly and surely, and I knew She had come for me, and I immediately spoke to the artist, who agreed to customise her down to her nose-ring colour, and delivered her to me today. The whole interaction took about three days from ideation to reality! Many thanks to Vishnupriya of Sri Venkatesha Creations for her beautiful creation and prompt delivery. 

The idols and golu dolls we bring home are very special to us. Somehow, just as much as we choose them, they also choose us, and in many cases, more so. It is my firm belief that there is a strong positive energy in each idol and we are blessed that each has come to us. It is indeed a privilege.