The bus stop near Kandivli’s Dattani Park has a stone ‘god,’ whose incredible transformation from a pavement rock to religious idol has taken locals aback
Faith can move mountains, and also turn stones into gods. Just ask locals in Dattani Park, Kandivli East, who have seen a stone — dug up by the BMC, no less — ‘transform’ into an idol for a nameless god. This newfound place of worship not only has pujaris tending to it, but also has a puja routine with a regular bevy of the faithful who queue up to worship it, offering obeisance and nuisance in equal amounts.
The orange painted, garlanded rock sits amid filth. Pic/Nimesh Dave
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“This stone was not here on the pavement. It was on the side of the road, about 100 metres away, where some digging work was going on by the BMC. Someone placed it here, next to the electric pole. And with every passing day, I have seen changes happening. It was painted one day and two men come every morning to offer puja to it,” said Rajesh Karkera, who passes by the Dattani Park bus stop, where the stone is located, and has seen the stone ‘transform.’
Thakur Village resident Charulata Maske added, “Earlier, the stone was used as a seat by commuters as they waited for a bus. Then a few days ago, it was painted orange and then a day later, eyes were also drawn.”
Illegal temple soon?
Commuters say they are worried about an illegal temple being built at the spot. “The area is already messed up with rotting food as many ‘devotees’ offer food to the stone idol. There is roti and rice strewn all around as crows and rats run near the ‘holy’ stone.,” added Priya Thapa, a student of Thakur College.
“There is already a temple at Sai Dham, but people love worshiping gods so much that many of them bow and offer a prayer as they enter and exit the buses,” said Santosh Phadke, who lives in Thakur Complex and commutes to Andheri daily for work.
The puja muhurat is between 7 am and 7.30 am, claim commuters who wait at the bus stop and see the same two men come and offer prayers, flowers, incense sticks and a coconut. “They spend a good 5-10 minutes doing the puja. A number of commuters even join them to have a blessed day,” ended Thapa.
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