Rooster auction!

Today's visit to our nearby temple was no different.. except for a queer auction. Sleepy town Trichy is always quiet, pristine and attractive in its own way.. We have a Amman temple nearby - Amma is an ardent devotee and a regular at the temple. She spends more on the temple than she does for herself- self admittedly. Says Seva to God is more important. I grew up going to this temple and the Amman (Goddess Shakti) is called "Ellai Kaali" or protector of our boundary. Temples in places like Trichy are different from their urban counterparts. They form an inevitable part of the devotees lives. Often times, people offer more than just money in the Undiyal or "hundi"s. When they pray hard and tide through the tough times, have a windfall, marriage goes well, a new-born comes to the family - beleivers show their faith by sacrificing goats and fowl at temples. "Keda Vettu" as it is called it Tamil. This sometimes takes another form. Giving away cows, goats, chicken to the temple itself. These abandoned creatures are then the temple's property. Graze around the temple and live on alms the devotees give them. After some time, goats and fowl are auctioned off and the money goes to the temple Hundi. These animals are then slaughtered by their new owners for a feast. Cows - killing them is taboo of course, so they get to stay on with the temple. I asked Amma "why do people give animals to the temple? why not simply donate money?". "Faith and practices differ dear" was her simple reply. When I was a kid, there was a monkey in the temple. He died of an accident and there is now a post in his honor in the temple.
Today, one such rooster was loitering in the temple when we amma and I had finished our rounds of the temple. We sat down for a chat - about neighbors, family and everything under the sun. It is customary to sit for a few minutes after praying and coming around all the sannidhis. (I remember reading that ancient Indian temples had huge walkways or "prakaram"s not just to accomodate crowds - also to encourage people to walk all the way and exercise). The poor rooster was chased around, caught and when a considerable crowd had gathered, the auctioneer (just another chap who loves to hang around the pujari and gossip) yelled out "60 Rs for the rooster". "100" came another voice. "110" came the third and there were no more takers. "110 - One, 110 - two and 110 - three" he yelled and gave away the squeaking rooster to its highest bidder. It will make its way into the Sunday afternoon lunch "Kozhambu", I thought as we walked back home.