ENARADA, Kokkada, Dakshin Kannada, May 1, 2016
A temple in remote Western Ghats is making news for its special healing powers. Popularly known as ‘doctor’s temple’, Sri Vaidyanatheshwara temple is believed to have curing powers; be it for skin diseases, drought or even Chikungunya! Sri Vaidyanatheshwara temple is located at Kokkada village (Belthangady taluk, Dakshna Kannada district), nestled in Western Ghats and is nearer to popular pilgrim spot Dharmasthala.
Tender coconuts lined up for Seeyala Abhisheka at Kokkada Sri Vaidyanatheshwara temple. Photo by ENARADA.COM
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Interestingly, the tender coconuts are the votive offerings at this doctor’s temple. People from near and dear and even from far off places like Bengaluru visit the place with a tender coconut in their hands.
“Six years ago, the entire village was affected by Chikungunya. So, each of us had vowed to the God to save us from Chikungunya and miraculously, we were cured and as a votive offering, we decided to offer tender coconut to the deity. The tender coconut offering is popularly known as Seeyala Abhisheka,” said an ardent devotee.
Seeyala means tender coconut water. Many of the patients, who haven’t got cured with various skin diseases prefer to visit the temple. The water body near the temple is supposed to have special healing powers and many of them claim to have undergone miraculous recovery. These days, the devotees are flocking the temple to bring down the clouds. As the area is suffering from severe drought, devotees are seen performing Seeyala Abhisheka to impress the rain gods.
