A shocking incident at the revered Annamalaiyar Temple in Tiruvannamalai has stirred controversy after a couple was caught eating ‘non-vegetarian food’ on the temple premises. The act, considered highly inappropriate in the sacred space, was recorded by a devotee and reported to authorities, leading to a police complaint and ritual purification ceremonies.
On a busy afternoon, a young devotee noticed a strong smell of egg biryani and chicken gravy near the temple. Upon investigating, he spotted a couple later identified as Ramesh and his wife from Ramalinganar Street, Tiruvannamalai consuming the non-vegetarian food inside the complex. The witness filmed the act and alerted the HR&CE department, which immediately intervened.
Officials questioned the couple, who admitted to bringing a parcel of chicken gravy and egg biryani into the temple. Since the Annamalaiyar Temple strictly prohibits non-vegetarian food on its premises, the matter was escalated to the Tiruvannamalai Municipal Police Station.
The incident has caused widespread anger among devotees, particularly because the Arunachalesvara Temple is one of the Panchabhuta Sthalams, attracting pilgrims from Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, and beyond. Many expressed distress over the violation of temple sanctity.
In response, priests conducted purification rituals, sprinkling holy water across the temple’s shrines, including the Rajagopuram and the sacred Nandi statue, to cleanse the space spiritually.
Police officials confirmed that a complaint was filed on behalf of the temple administration. Preliminary reports suggest the couple claimed they were unaware of the restrictions. However, authorities are still investigating the matter. The incident has reignited discussions on maintaining discipline and respect for religious customs in sacred spaces. Temple officials have urged visitors to adhere to guidelines to prevent such occurrences in the future.
(With Inputs From ABP Nadu)
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