Chennai: Cricket is a religion in India, quite literally. A cricket-lover in Chennai has built a 'Cricket Ganesha' temple that has idols of Lord Ganesha in several cricketing avatars. Cricket-lovers flock to the temple to pray for the Indian team, as the World Cup kicks off in Australia and New Zealand.
The Sri Palayathamman Cricket Ganesha Temple is located in Chennai's Anna Nagar East area. Eleven Ganeshas welcome devotees and cricket lovers, installed right next to the principal deity, Amman. These include the 'Square Drive Ganesha' swinging his bat, the 'Spinner Ganesha' holding a ball, ready to bowl and the padded 'Wicket Keeper Ganesha'.
Other 'Cricket Ganeshas' at the Sri Palayathamman Cricket Ganesha Temple in Chennai.
The star attraction is the 11-headed Ganesha, symbolising the Indian cricket team. On either side of the centrepiece Ganesha are five other Ganeshas with trunks turned to the left and right respectively, representing the left-handed and right-handed players.
The founder of this temple, Ramakrishnan, has also composed cricket bhajans, which he recites during his pooja. "Ganesha will bless both right-handed and left-handed players equally in the game, whether he's a batsman or a bowler. So, if devotees worship him sincerely, they will perform better," he says.
A decade ago, he had built a tiny temple featuring 'Cricket Ganeshas' in the backyard of his apartment, where residents alone offered prayers.
Recently, the Palayathamman Temple management agreed to house the 'Cricket Ganeshas' and ever since, the temple draws cricket many lovers too.
Bhagwan Jhaver, who offered prayers at the temple, says, "We have to win the World Cup. We have to retain the Cup. That's my only prayer."
Another lady from the neighbourhood, who joined the spcial pooja, says, "I prayed for Dhoni. He should lead the team to victory like last time."
Recollecting special prayers to 'Cricket Ganesha' ahead of the World Cup in 2011, Ramesh says, "This time too, Ganesha would help us win. Last time there was confusion during the toss. India fielded first, but yet we won the Cup because of Ganesha's power."
If India lifts the World Cup for a second consecutive time, Ramakrishnan and other devotees hope the Indian cricket team would come to the 'Cricket Ganesha' temple to say, "Thank You".