A farmer of Merpanaikadu village near Keeramangalam in Alangudi taluk has become the talk of the town here, as he has taken his love for his pet cow to anthropomorphic levels. He has organised a valaikaapu ceremony for his pregnant cow on January 13.
In a ceremony that is common tradition in Tamil families, expectant mothers are presented with glass bangles, mostly of green and red colour, the sounds of which supposedly reach the womb and have good effect on the unborn child.
Having prayed for Chellaponnu, his four-year-old cow, to bear a calf, the farmer, S Sannasi (60) decided to appease the deity, when the cow became pregnant. He has printed invitation cards and has requested all his friends and relatives to attend the ceremony.
Sannasi said he had reared 20 cows from his childhood. “Presently, I am rearing 10 cows and I always treat them as my children.” Chellaponnu, the pregnant cow, is four years old and did not get pregnant till she was three years old. Sannasi said he had prayed at the Malai Mariyaman temple in Merpanikadu and promised to hold a valaikaapu ceremony on the temple premises when Chellaponnu got pregnant.
“Chellponnu is now five months pregnant. I am arranging the valaikaapu ceremony for her and printed 500 invitation cards. I have ordered coffee, kesari and vadai for 1,000 visitors who are expected to participate in the ceremony,” he said.
What’s more, Sannasi is also gifting his dear cow with a silver anklet weighing 40 grams.
Govindarajan, president of Merpanikadu village panchayt, said, “I am very happy to be a part of the ceremony. I respect cows as Goddesses. In our culture, we consider cattle as treasure. The valaikaapu will teach villagers to respect and treat their cattle like their own children.”
Over 2,000 people in and around Merpanaikadu village are eagerly waiting to take part in Chellaponnu’s valaikaapu ceremony.