Hindu Munnani has submitted a petition to the Pudukkottai District Collector alleging that a centuries-old Hindu temple and its surrounding lands at Lingamalai in Viralimalai taluk are under sustained encroachment and claiming that attempts are being made to rename the hill as “Saveriyar Malai.”
According to the petition, Lingamalai, located in Malampatti village under Viralimalai Union in Pudukkottai district, is home to a 400-year-old Shiva temple, which historical accounts attribute to King Azhagiya Manavala Devan.
The organisation stated that the temple has approximately 300 acres of land, which remains under the control of the Forest Department in the name of the temple.
Hindu Munnani alleged that for the past 10 years, Christians have installed a cross atop Lingamalai and have been referring to the hill as “Saveriyar Malai.” It further stated that earlier tensions between Hindus and Christians over the issue resulted in criminal cases being registered against Hindus, and that those cases are still pending.
The organisation also alleged that 300 acres belonging to the temple have been illegally patta-transferred, encroached upon, and converted into plots for sale by Christians. It further stated that the idols of Lord Shiva and Goddess Amman inside the temple have been vandalised, alleging that they were broken into pieces by anti-Hindu elements.
According to the petition, Hindus visiting the temple to worship are threatened and intimidated by those occupying the area around the hill.
Hindu Munnani also stated that although the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court had directed that no maintenance work should be carried out on the cross erected atop the hill, Christians have continued to maintain the structure in violation of the court’s order.
The organisation further stated that attempts to rename Lingamalai as “Saveriyar Malai” are continuing and warned that the developments have the potential to trigger communal tensions in the region.
Seeking official intervention, local Hindus urged Hindu Munnani to help restore Lingamalai and the Shiva temple to Hindu devotees, ensure protection of the temple’s lands, and facilitate unhindered worship at the shrine.
Acting on these representations, Hindu Munnani submitted a formal petition to the Pudukkottai District Collector, demanding action against the alleged encroachments, protection of the temple property, and implementation of the existing court orders.
மீண்டும் ஒரு சென்னிமலையா??#லிங்கமலையை #சவேரியார் மலையாக மாற்ற துடிக்கும் கிறிஸ்துவர்கள்..#புதுக்கோட்டை மாவட்டம், #விராலிமலை ஒன்றியம், #மலம்பட்டி என்ற கிராமத்தில் அமைந்துள்ளது லிங்கமலை.. இம்மலையில் 400 வருடம் பழமை வாய்ந்த #சிவன் கோவில் உள்ளது. இக்கோவில் மன்னர் அழகிய மணவாள… pic.twitter.com/JBAVFYYZwj
— Hindu Munnani (@hindumunnani_tn) July 13, 2026
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