A viral video has brought to light alleged extortion of devotees at the Samayapuram Mariamman Temple, which is administered by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department. In the footage, a temple worker can be seen demanding ₹400 for two devotees to gain entry, raising serious concerns about misconduct at one of Tamil Nadu’s most frequented temples.
The video captures a tense exchange between a female temple worker and devotees. She is heard repeatedly insisting on the ₹400 payment and dismissing their protests, even challenging them to report the matter to the Collector’s office. The worker boasts of her 20 years of experience in the temple and asserts that she answers only to the superintendent and higher authorities, speaking in a commanding tone.
Currently, the temple has only ₹100 tickets available for devotees, the maximum prescribed amount. The north gate of the temple, as per a ruling in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, is restricted exclusively to pregnant women, women with infants, and the elderly. Despite these rules, the video and accompanying reports suggest that certain individuals are being allowed entry for free or via purchased tickets, allegedly facilitated by temple staff and intermediaries.
According to eyewitnesses, more than five individuals claiming authorization from temple authorities were permitted free entry into the ₹100 queue. Some visitors have reportedly been asked to pay ₹500–₹1,000 per person under the name of “Padi Darshan.” A person identified as Graki is alleged to be coordinating these special entries and compensating temple workers in return.
Devotees have expressed outrage over the apparent violation of temple protocols, the extortion of funds, and the preferential treatment, which has caused significant distress.
The HR&CE Department has yet to respond to these allegations.
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