PALAKKAD: Though party leaders in Congress headquarters here are unable to tell how exactly the party got its symbol, people in Emur Bhagavathy (Hemambika) temple in Palakkad district believe that former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was inspired by the deity of the temple.

This unique temple is believed to be the only one in the country where the idols are only Devi's 'hands' and the temple is also known as "Kaipathi" (hand) temple.

In the post-emergency elections of 1977, Indira and the Congress suffered heavy defeats. Although the Janata Party came to power, the experiment failed. The Congress slogan 'Call Indira, Save India' spread across the country. In 1980, the stage was set for elections to the Seventh Lok Sabha. The party lost the cow and calf symbol as the Congress split. At the request of the Congress, the Election Commission suggested the use of hand, bicycle and elephant symbols. Indira Gandhi chose the hand.

Indira Gandhi was said to be one of the prominent visitors to the temple and had seen the deity. She took hand as the symbol for the Congress party in the next general election.

Soundarya Kailasam, the wife of Justice PS Kailasam, a former Supreme Court judge, was closely associated with the Nehru family. During a friendly conversation, she told Indira Gandhi about the hand idol at the Emur Hemambika Bhagwati Temple. It is the only temple in India with hand idol. It is as if the Goddess Hemambika blesses the devotees with two hands. It is believed that Indira Gandhi was influenced to choose hand symbol after hearing about this.

The hand sign adopted that day blessed Indira and the Congress. Under the leadership of Indira Gandhi, the Congress won 286 more seats than in 1977. Later, when K Karunakaran was the Chief Minister, Indira Gandhi visited the Emur Bhagavathi Temple.

A royal welcome was given to Indira Gandhi at the temple at that time. Members of the Palakkad royal family were also present. Indira Gandhi, who spent some time in the temple, dedicated a bell to the temple. On her return from signing the visitor's diary, the royal family presented Indira Gandhi with a locket with hand symbol in memory of the temple.