|
The
sacred shrine of Kurmari is situated at the exact place of the merging of three
seas, and so it is washed by their holy waters. It has two prakaras and two
entrances. The main entrance, facing the North is adorned with a modest tower.
The other gate facing the East is always closed, but opens on special occasions,
for bathing the idol during festival seasons. This has an odd story It is
recorded that the unexceptional brilliance of the gem, set in the nose-screw
adorning the idol was drawing many a ship in the nights, like the shaft of the
light of modern light house towards the shore leading to disastrous consequence
of their dashing against the rocks near the shore and smashing into pieces. To
safeguard the interests of the ill-fated mariners, the eastern gate was closed
long back There is a belief that the English sailors entering through the East
gate stole the Jewelled nose- ring of the virgin goddess. According to the
belief, the nose-ring was a Nagamani extracted from a cobra; it dazzled as
brilliant as that of shaft of light coming from a light house. Sailors mistook
the temple to be light house and sailed in that direction. Alas! they were
shipwrecked off the present Vivekananda Rock. Many died, but a few
survivors-vultures as they were plucked out the sparkling nose-ring and vanished
into pitch darkness. The eastern gate was closed forth with to prevent further
loss. So admission to the sanctum is now made through north gate only.
|
