Amid the grand Arudra Darshan celebrations at the world-renowned Chidambaram Natarajar Temple on Sunday (4 January 2026), a tense situation prevailed after a man wearing black-shirt reportedly entered the sanctum of the Sivakamasundari Amman shrine and caused a disturbance.
According to sources, the individual, carrying a pot of milk meant for worship, poured the milk over himself in front of the deity and reportedly proclaimed, “I am God.” When Selva Ganesh Dikshitar, a temple priest, and Kannan, a watchman present at the shrine, attempted to intervene and restrain him, the man allegedly attacked them with the pot.
Both Selva Ganesh Dikshitar and Kannan sustained injuries in the incident and were admitted to a hospital, where they are currently undergoing treatment. Their condition is said to be stable.
Members of the public present at the temple quickly apprehended the individual and handed him over to the Chidambaram Town Police. During interrogation, police identified him as Manikandan (35), a resident of the Valaragurchi area under Sendurai Taluk in Ariyalur district.
Further inquiry revealed that Manikandan is a graduate of Annamalai University and had been staying at home in recent times. Police have stated that he may be suffering from mental health issues, which could have contributed to his behaviour at the temple.
The police have informed Manikandan’s family about the incident and are continuing an intensive investigation to ascertain the full circumstances leading up to the episode. Security at the temple has also been reviewed in the aftermath of the incident, especially in view of the large crowds attending the Arudra Darshan festival.
Tamil Nadu BJP leaders condemned the incident slamming the DMK government.
BJP Tamil Nadu Youth Wing President Dr. SG Suryah lambasted the saying that the DMK’s ‘anti-Sanatan Dharma’ poison is now exploding as violence within temples.
“Why is the police standing by with folded hands, watching the ongoing attacks on Hindus? It is once again confirmed that Hindus in Tamil Nadu have no protection.“, Suryah said.
சிதம்பரம் நடராஜர் கோவில் கருவறைக்குள் அத்துமீறி நுழைந்து, சுவாமிக்கு வைத்திருந்த அபிஷேகப் பாலை தன்மீது ஊற்றிக்கொண்டு, “கடவுள் இல்லை” என கூச்சலிட்டு தீட்சிதர்களைத் தாக்கிய சம்பவம் கடும் கண்டனத்திற்குரியது!
திருப்பரங்குன்றத்தைத் தொடர்ந்து இப்போது சிதம்பரம். தி.மு.க மேடைகளில்… pic.twitter.com/tSIuzkLucg
— Dr.SG Suryah (@SuryahSG) January 4, 2026
Coimbatore South BJP MLA Vanathi Srinivasan slammed the DMK governments and its HR&CE Minister Sekarbabu who abused Hindus at the entrance of a temple a few days back.
“The emergence of numerous individuals like Sekar Babu—who abuse devotees with disdain and seek to transform the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department into an arena of irreligiosity—is precisely the “protection” this regime offers to Hindu temples. In this anti-Hindu DMK administration, where even temple deities lack safeguards, the fact that now outsiders can breach the sanctum and desecrate its sanctity demands the strongest condemnation. In Thillai (Chidambaram), where thousands of Shiva devotees from around the world gather daily, such a lapse in security—especially on a special day like Arudra—raises serious questions about the safety of the general public who visit these temples. I strongly urge the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department to ensure that no such incidents recur by guaranteeing the security and sanctity of our temples henceforth.“, Vanathi Srinivasan said.
உலகப் புகழ்பெற்ற தில்லை நடராசர் ஆலயத்தில் உள்ள சிவகாமசுந்தரி அம்மன் ஆலயத்தில் மர்ம நபர் ஒருவர் கருவறைக்குள் சென்று சுவாமி முன்பு உள்ள கலசத்தில் இருந்த பாலை மேலே ஊற்றிக் கொண்டு நான் தான் கடவுள் என பேசி அராஜகத்தில் ஈடுபட்ட சம்பவம் அதிர்ச்சி அளிக்கிறது.
பக்தர்களை கேவலமாகப் பேசி… pic.twitter.com/beqoYZKT8v
— Vanathi Srinivasan (@VanathiBJP) January 4, 2026
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