Decades before the birth of EV Ramasamy Naicker and the rise of DMK, people from all castes have become archakas and purohits in Tamil Nadu temples. They are still working as priests and performing rituals in thousands of temples even today. These temples are still run by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department.
However, the DMK and other Dravidian Stockists are attempting to project that it was only after their ideologues EV Ramasamy Naicker, Karunanidhi and now MK Stalin that temples have been ‘liberated from the clutches of Brahmins’.
This article will expose the lies of DMK and DK and show how people of all castes worked as priests in Tamil Nadu temples since time immeroial. An attempt has been made to compile a list of temples in Tamil Nadu where non-Brahmin communities work as priests. This will dispel the myths and lies spread by the DK and DMK that only Brahmins serve as priests in Tamil Nadu’s major temples.
Swayambulingam Swamy Temple, Tirunelveli
The Swayambulingam Swamy temple in Tirunelveli’s Uvari coastal village has priests from the Desikar community. It is a 1000-year-old temple managed by HR&CE in which all communities worship.
Tandu Mariamman Temple, Coimbatore
Pandaram community members work as priests at Tandu Mariamman Temple at Avinashi Road in Coimbatore. This temple, which is managed by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, hosts an annual Chitrai festival, Agni Chatti Procession, and Shakti Karakam, in which thousands of people from all communities take part.
Ambalavanar Swamy Temple, Tirunelveli
Priests from the Devendra Kula Velalar community serve at Tirunelveli’s 1,000-year-old Ambalavanar Swamy temple, which is attached to Nellayapar temple.
Vellingiri Aandavar Temple, Coimbatore
Poojas and rituals are performed by priests from the Sholia Vellalar community at the 1000-year-old Vellingiri Aandavar temple in Poondi, Coimbatore. Lord Shiva devotees, Shivanadiyaars from all over the country, will flock to the Vellingiri hills in Coimbatore to worship the god, primarily during the Tamil months of Masi, Panguni, and Chithirai.
Nathan Mariamman Temple, Dindigul
Priests from the Naidu community serve at the 1000-year-old Natham Mariamman temple in Dindugal.
Mariamman Temple, Virudhunagar
The 300-year-old Mariamman temple at Irukankudi in Chattur, Virudhunagar district has priests from the Illathu Pillaimar community.
Thiruvanantheeshvaramudaiyar Temple, Ramanathapuram
Members of the Maravar community serve as priests at the 500-year-old Sivagami Sametha Thiruvanantheeshvaramudaiyar Temple in Melakidaaram, Ramanathapuram district.
Angalamman Temple, Coimbatore
Priests from the Pillai community serve at Coimbatore’s 400-year-old Angalamman temple. The temple is well-known in Coimbatore for hosting a grand car festival once a year.
Eshwaramudaiyar Shivanesavalli Temple, Madurai
Members of the Servai community serve as priests at the Mathurothaiya Eshwaramudaiyar Shivanesavalli temple in Vikkiramangalam, Madurai district.
Other Temples And Communities
Jenagai Mariamman Temple, Madurai – Pillai
Madapura Bathrakaaliamman Temple, Sivagangai – Mukkantha Nadar
Sivarakkotai Mariamman Temple, Madurai – Pandaaram
Alanganallur Muniandi Temple, Madurai – Scheduled Caste
Dharmaraja Dhroupadi Amman Temple, Pollachi – Pillai
Kondaththu Kaaliamman Temple, Tiruppur – Pandaaram
Arakeeshwarar Temple, Krishnagiri – Lingayat
Periyamaariamman Kovil, Namakkal – Saiva Pillai
Veerapandi Gaumaariamman Kovil, Theni – Saiva Kannadiyar
For several decades, members of the Scheduled Caste have served as priests at the Subramaniya Swamy temple in Mudees, Vaalparai. Priests from the Vaduga Naidu, Malayalis, and Mudhaliyar communities serve at the Krishnagiri Kannampalli Venkatramana Swamy temple, the Yercaud Cauvery Amman temple, and the Hosur Kaalabairavar temple, respectively.
Not just that many Brahmin communities have their ancestral deity as Ayyanaar where the priest is usually from the Scheduled Caste or other so-called Backward Communities.
So, the DMK and other Dravidian Stockists claiming to uphold social justice by appointing archakas from all castes is nothing but a sham.
(With inputs from Dinamalar)
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