Surat : Forget milk, flowers, and honey. In the vibrant city of Surat, devotees offer a rather unusual "prasad" to Lord Shiva - live crabs! Yes, you read that right. The Ramnath Ghela temple, nestled in the Umra area, holds the unique distinction of being the only Shiva temple in the world where this practice takes place, and that too, just once a year.
Faith Overcoming Physical Ailments: On the auspicious day of Paush Ekadashi, the temple comes alive with devotees seeking blessings for overcoming physical challenges, especially ear ailments. As per local folklore, offering a live crab to the Shivalinga is believed to bring relief and cure. Driven by this unwavering faith, devotees arrive early in the morning, carrying live crabs for a special puja. The sight of long queues at the temple dawn speaks volumes about the deep-rooted belief associated with this ritual.
A Legend Steeped in Tradition: The tradition of offering crabs at the Ramnath Ghela temple is woven with an ancient legend. Stories narrate how the temple, said to be centuries old, witnessed a divine encounter. During a "Tarpan" ceremony, Lord Rama sought the presence of a Brahmin, but none were available. Miraculously, the sea god emerged as a Brahmin and performed the rites. As waves surged, several live crabs landed on the Shivalinga. Moved by the plight of these creatures, the sea god (Samudra Dev) sought Lord Rama's intervention. Pleased by this compassion, Lord Rama blessed the place, and the temple earned its name "Ramnath Ghela Mahadev" (meaning "the happy Shiva"). Ever since, the belief of offering crabs on Paush Ekadashi has drawn thousands of devotees, not just from Surat, but also from Mumbai and Delhi.
Beyond the Oddity: This unique offering may seem unusual to some, but it signifies the deeply personal connection devotees forge with their faith. The Ramnath Ghela temple stands as a testament to the power of belief and the diverse ways in which communities express their devotion.
