The Madurai Corporation’s announcement that electricity will not be provided for the upcoming Chithirai Festival due to unpaid dues of over ₹1 crore by the Meenakshi Amman Temple administration has sparked widespread outrage. The move has triggered a backlash from devotees and political critics, who have accused the DMK-led state government of discriminatory practices and mismanagement.
The controversy emerged after a review meeting was held under the leadership of District Collector Sangeetha, along with senior officials including the Madurai Corporation Commissioner Chithra Vijayan, City Police Commissioner Loganathan, and representatives from multiple departments. It was noted during the meeting that the Meenakshi Temple had not cleared electricity dues, and officials from the Corporation stated that unless the amount was paid, power would not be provided for the festival via Corporation streetlight connections.
Instead, the temple was advised to apply for a temporary connection through the Electricity Board. This decision created concern, especially since the Chithirai Festival is set to take place from April 29 to May 10 and includes major events such as Thirukalyanam and Kallazhagar’s descent into the Vaigai River — ceremonies that draw lakhs of devotees every year.
Critics of the government have alleged that the DMK administration was selectively enforcing rules. They pointed out that the government itself had failed to pay electricity bills totaling over ₹2,000 crore across various departments, including panchayat boards and municipal corporations. Figures circulating in public discourse claimed that the state government had not paid electricity dues for over 2.19 lakh service lines in the last three years, amounting to ₹1,618 crore, yet no action was being taken against these departments.
மதுரை சித்திரை திருவிழாவிற்கு கரண்ட் கொடுக்க முடியாது : திமுக அரசு திமிர்தனமான அதிகாரியின் பேச்சிற்கு என் கேள்வி:
1கோடி கரண்ட் பில் இருக்குனா அத போய் உங்கள் முன்னாள் ரவுடியும் இன்னாள் அமைச்சருமான சேகர்பாபு பிடிச்சு ஏன் கட்டலனு கேளுங்க.. சித்திரை திருவிழாவையும் கள்ளளழகர் ஆற்றில்… pic.twitter.com/pOcSYNH9Pz
— Maridhas (@MaridhasAnswers) April 13, 2025
It was also pointed out that the government had not invested in basic infrastructure like toilets in schools — despite central government assistance — while spending hundreds of crores on statues of late DMK leader M. Karunanidhi across villages. Critics questioned why the temple, which sees thousands of devotees daily and earns revenue through offerings and shop rentals, had been unable to pay the electricity dues. They demanded transparency regarding the temple’s income and expenditure and asked why the HR&CE Department had failed to manage this essential responsibility.
There was also significant anger over what many perceived as an anti-Hindu bias. Several commentators accused the government of supporting festivals and infrastructure for other religions while taking a punitive approach to major Hindu religious events. They warned that if the Chithirai Festival were disrupted in any way, it would have electoral consequences across Tamil Nadu.
In response to growing criticism, the Madurai Corporation issued a clarification. It claimed that the news had been misinterpreted and distorted on social media. According to the administration, the Corporation had merely asked the temple administration to pay a standard cleaning fee of ₹310 per light before connecting the high-powered electric lights to the Corporation’s lines. Officials insisted that preparations for the Chithirai Festival were progressing and that all departments were working to ensure the event proceeded without disruption.
Despite the clarification, public dissatisfaction remains high. Many devotees have continued to question the financial management of the temple, particularly asking why offerings from the public and income from commercial establishments within the temple premises were not sufficient to settle the electricity bill. Some also demanded a response from HR&CE Minister P. K. Sekar Babu.
The dispute has escalated from an administrative issue into a political and cultural flashpoint. With the festival only a short while away, it remains unclear whether the issue will be resolved in time to allow the celebration to proceed in full scale, or whether the shadow of political mismanagement will dim one of Tamil Nadu’s most iconic religious festivals.
Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.