Lemon sold for gold? Uncovering secrets behind Rs 13,000 auction

In a display of great devotion and giving, a lemon was auctioned off for aspiring ₹ 13,000 to a very eager and willing auctioneer; this bizarre event was set against the backdrop of the Pazhamathinny Karuppa Eswaran Temple in the tiny village of Vilakethi because of the annual Maha Shivaratri celebrations.

Bidding at the public auction was spirited, and the devotees raised bids for sacred items presented before the deity, including a lemon, silver ring, and silver coin. The lemon, used in some sacred ritual, attracted enthusiastic bidders. Thangaraj finally purchased the lemon for ₹13,000, while Chidambaram of Arachalur won the silver ring through bidding of ₹43,100.

Tradition of high-stakes bidding

This act of auctioning temple offerings is a legacy in Tamil Nadu. It is believed that owning these sacred offerings brings prosperity to the family. In a similar instance, over nine lemons at a temple in Villupuram were auctioned last year for more than ₹2.36 lakh; one lemon by itself went for ₹50,500.

Relevance of temple auctions

Apart from being able to see just how deeply rooted their faith runs for the community, auctions also demonstrate the cultural and economic significance of such events. Sometimes, the funds raised contribute to local causes in addition to the temple upkeep, serving to deepen the connection between the community and its religious institutions.