Devotees visiting the Arunachaleswarar Temple in Tiruvannamalai have levelled serious allegations of bribery, middlemen exploitation, and administrative inaction, stating that some intermediaries are targeting outstation pilgrims and collecting money to facilitate quicker darshan.
According to devotees, certain middlemen are allegedly receiving payments and escorting devotees directly for darshan, bypassing the regular queues. Pilgrims said this has resulted in ordinary devotees being forced to wait in long lines ranging from four to seven hours.
Devotees also expressed dissatisfaction with the temple administration and officials of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department, alleging that no action has been taken despite recurring complaints.
One devotee in the queue said, “They are charging 500 per person in Tiruvannamalai. We are standing in the queue since 2PM. They did not allow anyone in. We are coming for girivalam every month, but this month has been the worst. Neither is the TN government doing anything about it nor is the HR&CE department.”
An advocate from Tiruppur who was present at the site also raised allegations of malpractice and police misconduct. He said, “Here too much malpractice is going on. Police is taking money and permitting people beyond the limit. There are many women with infants here. There are many diabetics and other patients too. Even if we faint, the police pay no heed. They don’t even give water. They are taking bribes and working. All teh policemen are using abusive language. No one is capable and worthy. Sekar Babu has to see this with his own eyes. Follow this up to the CM. Complain to the CM, don’t leave this. We will take action through court.”
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Devotees further alleged that police personnel were verbally abusing people waiting in queues and allowing devotees from other states through separate lines.
The allegations have triggered anger among pilgrims, particularly regular girivalam devotees, who claim that the situation has worsened in recent weeks. No official response has been issued so far by temple authorities or the HR&CE Department regarding the complaints.
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