MYSORE: His is an undying love. Rajaswamy, a farm labourer, lost his wife Rajamma seven years ago, but he still literally worships her at a temple he built for her in Krishnapura village in Yalandur taluk.
Like in any other temple, Rajaswamy offers puja to his wife’s idol besides those of Lord Ganesha, Siddappaji, Shiva Linga and Shanemahathma Swamy before starting his day.
His love for Rajamma, his relative, was so intense that he decided to marry her despite opposition from family members. He took her to his house and got married in front of his parents in 1995.
However, Rajamma remained a recluse and refused to meet relatives and friends. Then, tragedy struck when Rajamma passed away seven years ago leaving behind her husband and two children. “Two days before she died, she told me her end would come. She served us breakfast before her death,” Rajaswamy recalled.
It took Rajaswamy and his children time to recover from the shock of losing Rajamma. They then worked towards building a temple in her memory in his native village. Soon, the temple started to attract devotees and about four love marriages are conducted during the temple Aradhana celebrations.
“I built the temple with my own earnings,” said Rajaswamy, who wants his daughter Shanthakumari, a class VII student, to pursue higher studies. Shankara, his 16-year-old son works in the fields.
Rajaswamy, on the insistence of his parents and in-laws, married his sister-in-law by tying Rajamma’s tali, “only to ensure Shanthakumari gets motherly care and affection”.
The lover has a piece of advice for youngsters. “Do not elope and put your parents in trouble. Convince them before entering wedlock. I am against those opposing love and lovers committing suicide.” Rajaswamy said that he was lucky he was loved and cared for by his wife. He hopes love transcends all barriers and puts an end to enmity and hatred.