Heartbroken Shallcross priest speaks out after temple's sacred mound was "set alight"
Image: Supplied
A SHALLCROSS priest was left heartbroken after an Amman puthu (a sacred mound) on his property was allegedly set alight by a vandal on Saturday.
The temple, on Loop Street in Zoutpansberg, was built around the Amman puthu and had been in existence for two decades.
"It started off as a home temple, which the family members used, but later it became a temple that was open to all in the community," said Ashley Padayachee, 29, the officiating priest.
"My grandmother had someone build the temple around the puthu and over the past 10 years, my family and I, as well as fellow devotees, have maintained it.
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"On Saturday, while I was out with my wife, Hanna, we received a call at around midday that the puthu had been set alight by an unknown man. Luckily, someone saw the fire and managed to put it out. The bottom of the puthu was burnt and the sari that was draped around the puthu had melted. When we returned home, we got a strong chemical smell."
He said they did not have security gates.
The Amman puthu before it was burnt.
Image: Supplied
"So this man walked freely in. Many people are upset and cannot understand the disrespect shown for a place of worship. I was emotional. How can someone do that to God? Our temple is comfortable and a positive space for all, so we do not know why someone would do something so horrific.'
Padayachee said the incident was especially sad since August was Amman prayers, which is also known as porridge prayers, dedicated to Goddess Mariamman, the deity of rain and prosperity.
"We want the perpetrator to be dealt with. This person is sick and disrespectful. We run this temple by ourselves and by what donations we receive. After this ordeal, we will have to install cameras and gates to protect ourselves and our temple."
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