HOW DO IDEAS SPREAD? -2

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HOW DO IDEAS SPREAD?-2

The following story is a stunning example of how legends start and grow!

In the early 60s, the Railways started constructing a new meter gauge line from Bangalore to Salem. The section from Dharmapuri to Salem runs through some beautiful hill ranges and valleys. It involved construction of many bridges across streams (seasonal,though) and raising the level of the lines.

One such stretch occurred in a place called Muttampatti, just after Nallampalli. The work was in full swing. But the contractor faced a problem. One spot involved a small bridge and strengthening the bunds. He would do the necessary work, spreading the jalli,erecting the masonry work etc. But the next morning, the workers would report that the previous day's work was found disturbed, the masonry structure had cracked and the jalli heap slided,etc. After  repeated attempts failed to correct the situation, the workers got panicky and  the contractor was foxed.

He then started looking out at things in the surroundings. On one side was a huge hill, like a solid wall, covered with wild vegetation. At the foot ran a small stream, with about  foot-high water. There was just a dirt strip for bullock carts to pass on the side. He cleared the bushes in patches - one doesn't know what he had in mind. Suddenly they found something!

On the hill was an image of Hanuman, sculpted on the hill itself!  He cleared the bushes, and the full image came into view. He thought that it was Lord Hanuman demanding attention, and  the  construction could proceed only if Hanuman was  propitiated. He prayed to Hanuman and vowed that he should protect the bridge and a temple would be built for him! The work proceeded smoothly thereafter and the line was opened for traffic in January 1968.

I have narrated the story in sequence. But this is not how it happened. The residents of  Dharmapuri and nearby villages came to know that a new temple for Hanuman had come up in Muttampatti.Visiting the spot, they found that it was not a 'temple' proper. Since the image was on the hill itself, a sort of mandapam had been raised, with a  roof over the image and a platform in front. It then emerged that the railway contractor himself had done all that. On the new moon day in the Tamil month of Thai  (January-February 1967) he celebrated the event, inviting the neighbouring villages. Since then, this event is celebrated on that day every year. It was then that the details slowly emerged.

The line opened for traffic only in January 1968. Those days there was only one passenger train either way. And the trains would invariably stop in front of the shrine, even though there was a proper station  a km away! Any train passing that way would blow the whistle in front of the shrine! Those days, if we had to go to just Muttampatti, the railway clerk would not issue ticket. He would say: Muttampatti? Just board the train!

For many years thereafter, huge crowds would visit Muttampatti for the anual event in January and it was free on the railways!

Before the railway line opened, the way to Muttampatti was by road. One had to go to a  village called Pagalpatti or Pagalahalli 10 miles from Dharmapuri on the Salem road and from there walk three miles through the valley. This is how we used to go even after the trains came, because there was just a train a day then.

My grandfather hailed from Pagalpatti. His ancestral lands were there. He was about 70 when these developments took place. When we asked him about it, he said he had not heard about  Hanuman there, as it must have been covered by bushes even then. But there must have been something to the place, because his own mother was named after that- Muttammal! We used to call her 'Muttupaatti'. She refused to leave the village almost till the very end. So my grandfather felt that there was something to the place due to Hanuman! He was forgotten for a long time, but demanded and got the attention in due time!

A religious place attains fame only when devotees experience something there! A prayer is answered, a difficulty is removed, or something like that. Are there any such incidents connected with Muttampatti Hanuman? I do not know about others, but will relate two incidents I have experienced, personally.

In 1968, I was working in Nagpur. My younger brother had passed BSc and was eager to join a medical college! But imagine- middle class, so-called forward community, and the boy was just an ordinary student-not the brilliant 99.98% type! I came to Muttampatti and prayed to Hanuman! After the puja ( one had to carry the materials  and do it oneself), I left the place and walked  the three miles to  the main road to catch the bus. On the way I had a doubt- whether I prayed properly, whether I did make the request or had forgotten! So I walked back to the temple, and again submitted my prayer and petition. Against all odds, beyond all human reasoning, my brother got a medical seat!

30 years later, I was now in Delhi. One of my children was having problem with studies. So I again went to Muttampatti and Hanuman did come to our rescue! It is for you to make your own conclusion. I should not be revealing such personal matters, but I thought that after nearly 50 years, it could be shared and may be, some one else will feel inspired. Why should I not declare and celebrate the glory of Hanuman!

Recently, I found that huge crowds travel from Bangalore to Muttampatti every Thursday!
This must be how legends originate ,grow and spread!

Some views of Muttampatti Hanuman.

Some of the recent photos.
I have some old  B&W photos taken  with the good old Gevabox camera in the  60s but I am unable to upload them!


Jai Hanuman gyan gun sagar
Jai kapisu tihun loka ujagar!

Teenon yug prataap tumhara 
Hai prasiddh jagat ujiyara!

Sankat katai mitai sab peera
Jo sumirai Hanumat bhal bheera!

Sab sukh lahai tumhari sarana!

Jai Jai Jai Hanuman Gosai!

-Sri Goswami Tulsidas: Hanuman Chalisa.