The Legendary Growing Stone of Fiji

I was looking through some old travel photos recently and came across pictures I took in Fiji more than a dozen years ago. One really brought back memories. I took it in the Hindu temple, Naag Mandir, near the village of Nagigi on the island of Vanua Levu.

Entrance to the temple is restricted to those who have not eaten meat or consumed alcohol and are not wearing leather. I left my shoes outside before going in. The priest led me to a huge stone around which the temple seemed to have been built. It was in the shape of a cobra’s head and draped with garlands of flowers. There were many offerings on a shelf in front — fruit, flowers, incense, ghee and a box of milk.

I was told that the stone was very small 120 years ago, but it grew so that it now almost touches the ceiling. When it was feared that a new, larger roof would have to be built to accommodate the growing stone, the priests decided to pray for it to stop growing, and so far it has.

The priest also told me there were other supernatural occurrences associated with the stone. Once there were plans to build a new road, and the initial proposal required the temple and the stone to be moved. However, all the members of the crew that was supposed to move the stone got sick, It was not until plans to move it were cancelled that they recovered from their mysterious illness.

The feeling I got from the temple and its legendary growing stone was the presence of an enormous and powerful spirit.

There are several other sacred sites and powerful places in Fiji. If there were enough interest in forming a group tour, Body Mind Spirit Journeys could doubtless put one together. Are you interested?