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Time of India
14-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Arohara echoes as Thirupparankundram unites thousands in worship
Madurai: Thousands of devotees witnessed the consecration (Kumbabishekam) of the Arulmigu Subramaniaswamy Temple at Thirupparankundram, one of the six abodes (Arupadai Veedu) of Lord Murugan, on Monday morning. The rituals began at 5 am, with sacred kalasams taken in procession from the yagasalai to the temple vimanas. By 5.31 am, priests poured sanctified water on nine golden kalasams — seven on the 125-ft Rajagopuram, and one each on the Vallabha Ganapathi and Govardhanambigai Ambal vimanas — marking the formal culmination of the consecration. Theertham was then sprayed on devotees using drones and mounted sprayers. More than 200 Shivaacharyars conducted the rituals, which commenced on July 10 and continued for five days. A total of 75 yaga kundams were set up at the Valli Devasena Mandapam, with Vedic chants and Tamil hymns, including Thevaram, Thiruppugazh, and Kandar Anuboothi, recited by over 85 odhuvars, including women, during the concluding rituals on Sunday. Twenty-seven LED screens were placed around the temple for live telecast. Drinking water booths, ambulances, fire service vehicles, and medical camps were stationed in the vicinity for the devotees. The Rajagopuram was refurbished at a cost of ₹70 lakh funded by donors, while the total renovation cost was estimated at ₹2.44 crore. As part of the works, seven new golden kalasams were installed on the Rajagopuram and one each on the Ambal and Vinayakar sannidhis. The towers were painted in panchavarnam (five traditional colours) and treated with kalkam, a mixture of 55 herbal ingredients. On Sunday night, the idols of Meenakshi and Sundareswarar from the Meenakshi Amman Temple were brought in procession and received at the 16-pillar mandapam in Thirupparankundram early Monday. Meenakshi Temple was closed for darshan on Monday as the presiding deities were away. Shops and businesses surrounding the temple marked the occasion with electric decorations. A new LED-lit 'Vel' (spear) was installed atop the gopuram, and laser lighting illuminated the temple towers during the celebrations. The event was held amid tight security and elaborate arrangements. Around 3,000 police personnel were deployed under the supervision of City Police Commissioner J Loganathan. Traffic diversions were enforced across Thirupparankundram Taluk to manage the crowd. Speaking to reporters, HR&CE minister P K Sekar Babu said the consecration was conducted in line with Tamil Agamic traditions and reflected the Dravidian model's commitment to temple revival and heritage preservation. "Under the leadership of chief minister M K Stalin, kumbabishekam has been performed at 3,347 temples across Tamil Nadu so far, including 124 Murugan temples since this government took office," he said. He urged devotees to be patient and make use of the ongoing 48-day mandala abhishekam period for darshan. "The spiritual merit extends far beyond today's event. We ask devotees to avoid unnecessary rush and plan visits accordingly," he said. He also emphasized that the event transcended politics and religion, sending a message of unity. "Thirupparankundram is a model of harmony where people of all castes and faiths coexist peacefully," he added. Commercial taxes minister P Moorthy, Thirupparankundram MLA Rajan Chellappa, state BJP president Nainar Nagenthiran, Madurai collector K J Praveen Kumar, and Madurai Corporation commissioner Chithra Vijayan also participated. MSID:: 122442068 413 |
Time of India
12-07-2025
- Time of India
Lawyer-guard clash sparks protests at Palani temple
Dindigul: A quarrel between a woman lawyer and a temple security guard over seating in the winch train at the Arulmigu Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple at Palani in Dindigul on Friday night escalated into large-scale protests and service disruptions on Saturday, causing inconvenience to devotees. The incident began when Radha (name changed), a lawyer from Ganapathy Nagar, and her family of six were waiting in line to board the winch train to the hill shrine. Due to space constraints, the temple security guard, identified as Madurai Veeran, reportedly told her that only a few members could travel at a time, and others would have to follow on the next trip. This led to an argument between the two, after which the lawyer proceeded to the temple. However, on her return, Radha gathered fellow lawyers and held a protest near the winch train station, alleging that she had been assaulted and humiliated by the guard. Police intervened and took Veeran for inquiry. Based on her complaint, a case was registered against him under sections relating to assault and intent to outrage modesty. Following his arrest, more than 100 temple security staff boycotted duties and staged a sit-in protest in front of the Adivaram police station on Saturday. They demanded action against the lawyer for allegedly attacking the guard. Key temple services—including ticket counters, winch train, battery cars, and even Panchamirtham sales—were halted temporarily, affecting devotees as police held talks with the protesters. Dindigul district superintendent of police A Pradeep told TOI that based on complaints given by both parties, two cases have been registered separately and investigation was on. So far, no arrests have been made.
