Santa does aarti at Hanuman temple

But when the mask came off,Santa had become Kanubhai,a man in his late 30s. He said he had taken the day off from his parking lot job in the citys Sayajigunj area to don the Santa gear,all for Rs 100 a day.

Santa is the messenger of love and non-violence and we thought it would be perfect to have him at the Hanuman Temple on Saturday,a day that Hanuman devotees consider auspicious. There are similarities between Santa and Hanuman. Hanuman used to love children and ensured that Lord Ramas children,Luv and Kush,didnt get into any trouble and remained happy, says Harshadgiri Goswami,the priest at the temple,who says it was his idea to get Santa to the temple.

We faced no opposition to the Santa Claus in our temple,neither from the Vishwa Hindu Parishad or the Bajrang Dal. Why should they oppose it anyway? If it brings smiles on a few faces,some joy,there is no harm in having Santa in the temple every Christmas season, he says.

Kanubhai,meanwhile,went back to his parking lot on Saturday,happy that he had spread some cheer. I did my job . People were happy to see me and children were thrilled. But I am glad I got my Rs 100, he says.