A massive rock, known as the Lakshmi Rock, is found in Marathwada, formerly part of the Hyderabad state. Now in Maharashtra, the rock has an interesting history.
Back in the old days, Hyderabad was the capital of Nizam. People led a peaceful life. Even the poor could feast on puran-poli, a sweet Maharashtrian delicacy. People believed Goddess Lakshmi to be the city’s guardian angel.
However, a few years later, evil and sinful deeds started happening in the city. This angered Goddess Lakshmi, who decided to leave Hyderabad for good.
There used to be a sentry outpost where the Char Minar stands today. Everyone in the city walked past the outpost while going out of the city. One day, the sentry saw a noble lady walking by. She was wearing a Maharashtrian nine-yard green sari, a green choli, green bangles on her wrist, a big sindur on her forehead, a pearl nose ring, and silver anklets. She looked like Goddess Lakshmi!
The sentry grew suspicious as to why a noble lady like her must wander in the city by herself. He went over to her and asked her if she was looking to go out of town. When she replied in the affirmative, the sentry told her that she would need the king’s permission to leave the city. He then asked her to wait until he was back after seeing the king.
The sentry went to the palace and informed the king about the noble lady. After giving it a deep thought, the king realized that the noble lady was none other than Goddess Lakshmi. The king instantly chopped the sentry’s head off with his sword.
The king’s act shocked everyone in the court. One of the courtiers asked the king why he had killed the sentry. The king replied that Goddess Lakshmi was looking to leave his kingdom, and that she wouldn’t leave until the sentry’s was back.
The king went over to the sentry outpost and saw the Goddess waiting. As Lakshmi saw the king approaching, she disappeared into the earth. A big piece of rock appeared where she stood. The rock, presently known as the Lakshmi Rock, still exists there and is worshiped by thousands of devotees every year.
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Kalai is passionate about reading and reinterpreting folk tales from all over the country. Write to her at kalai.muse@gmail.com to know more about her.
Folk tale adopted and abridged from Internet Archive.