Karwar (Karnataka) : Offering flowers, sweets and fruits to god has been a part of age-old tradition in Hinduism but in Karwar district of Karnataka, devotees offer alcohol and cigarettes to Lord Muneshwara. 

Scores of devotees from all over the country including Maharashtra and Goa visit this temple to get their wishes fulfilled by offering cigarettes and alcohol.ccording to Anand Raj Naik, a priest of Muneshwara temple, alcohol and cigarettes were liked by Him. Hence, it is been made a ritual here to offer as a religious offering to please and seek His blessings. 

People pray to Lord Muneshwara for fulfilment of their wishes and once their wish is fulfilled, they come here to offer cigarette, non-vegetarian food and wine. These things were his favourite when He was alive. Hence we are still following this ritual to please him," said Naik. Every March, a fair is organized near the temple, where scores of devotees come to offer alcohol, goat and chicken.

  Lord Muneshwara has fulfilled all wishes of devotees, even if some is sick people, It's believed that lord will cure them. In return, In return they offer him cigarette and wine.

 Alexander the Great

Alexander III of Macedon, commonly known as Alexander the Great, was a king of the ancient Greek kingdom of Macedon and a member of the Argead dynasty. He was born in Pella in 356 BC and succeeded his father Philip II to the throne at the age of 20.

Born: July 356 BC, Pella, Greece
Died: June 323 BC, Babylon
Nationality: Macedonian

There is very instructive incident involving the life of Alexander, the great Greek king. Alexander, after conquering many kingdoms, was returning home. On the way, he fell ill and it took him to his death bed. With death staring him in his face, Alexander realized how his conquests, his great army, his sharp sword and all his wealth were of no consequence.

He now longed to reach home to see his mother's face and bid her his last adieu. But, he had to accept the fact that his sinking health would not permit him to reach his distant homeland. So, the mighty conqueror lay prostrate and pale, helplessly waiting to breathe his last. He called his generals and said, "I will depart from this world soon,I have three wishes, please carry them out without fail." With tears flowing down their cheeks, the generals agreed to abide by their king's last wishes.

"My first desire is that," said Alexander, "My physicians alone must carry my coffin." After a pause, he continued, "Secondly, I desire that when my coffin is being carried to the grave, the path leading to the graveyard be strewn with gold, silver and precious stones which I have collected in my treasury. "The king felt exhausted after saying this. He took a minute's rest and continued. "My third and last wish is that both my hands be kept dangling out of my coffin."The people who had gathered there wondered at the king's strange wishes. But no one dare bring the question to their lips. Alexander's favorite general kissed his hand and pressed them to his heart. "O king, we assure you that your wishes will all be fulfilled. But tell us why do you make such strange wishes?"

At this Alexander took a deep breath and said: "I would like the world to know of the three lessons I have just learnt. I want my physicians to carry my coffin because people should realize that no doctor can really cure any body. They are powerless and cannot save a person from the clutches of death. So let not people take life for granted.

The second wish of strewing gold, silver and other riches on the way to the graveyard is to tell People that not even a fraction of gold will come with me. I spent all my life earning riches but cannot take anything with me. Let people realize that it is a sheer waste of time to chase wealth.

And about my third wish of having my hands dangling out of the coffin, I wish people to know that I came empty handed into this world and empty handed I go out of this world."

Alexander's last words: "Bury my body, do not build any monument, keep my hands outside so that the world knows the person who won the world had nothing in his hands when dying"

With these words, the king closed his eyes. Soon he let death conquer him and breathed his last. . . . .