Hindu activists and devotees are both shocked and puzzled by a recent decision from the ruling DMK government to suddenly show interest in Tamil Hindu saint Thiruvalluvar. The government has allocated ₹19 crore to construct a new temple on a site where an ancient temple, believed to date back to the 16th century and renovated in the 1970s, already stands in good condition with no significant damages. This sudden move to replace the centuries-old temple with a rough-cut granite structure has sparked suspicions. Many fear this could be another attempt by the DMK to secularize Thiruvalluvar, as they have done in the past, and erase his strong ties to Hinduism.
The announcement comes shortly after the Supreme Court intervened to halt the DMK government’s plan to secularize the saint Vallalar, by constructing an international center against the wishes of devotees. Now, it seems the DMK is shifting its focus to the Hindu saint Thiruvalluvar.
Temple activists are questioning why the DMK, which historically has not accepted Thiruvalluvar as a Hindu saint, is now prioritizing the construction of a new temple for him. The late leader and former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi had secularized Thiruvalluvar’s works, influenced by missionary GU Pope, and had rejected the saint’s Hindu practices, such as wearing sacred ash, a saffron robe, and rudraksha beads. Activists are asking why, if the government’s intentions are genuine, they aren’t focusing on the restoration of many ancient, dilapidated temples that are in need of urgent care, as these sites are central to Tamil culture.
This controversy comes in the wake of an announcement that, within two years, idols of Thiruvalluvar and his wife Vasuki will be housed in a new rough-cut granite temple in Mylapore. The construction will cost ₹19 crore, replacing the existing brick and mortar structure.
It is believed that the poet was born under an Iluppai tree (Madhuca longifolia) in Mylapore, which is why the temple was established there. The renovation will include statues of the saint’s parents under an Iluppai tree inside the temple.
Santhanakrishnan Sthapathi, who was tasked with this job, trained under the renowned Ganapathi Sthapathi, the designer of the Valluvar statue at Kanyakumari. “My father, Shanmugam Sthapathi, was the executive Sthapathi at Kanyakumari. I, too, have worked there, designing the elephants,” he explained. “The temple in Mylapore will be a single elevated structure, similar to the one in Hampi, designed like a chariot pulled by elephants. It will include a sanctum sanctorum, a prakara mandapam, and a three-tiered vimana above the garbhagriha. The Vasuki shrine will have a two-tiered vimana.”
Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments P.K. Sekarbabu stated that Chief Minister M.K. Stalin is keen to have the temple constructed quickly, with the foundation stone expected to be laid by the end of this month. A golden lotus pond, inspired by the Potraamarai tank at the Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai, will also be built, as it is believed that Thiruvalluvar presented the Thirukkural at that temple. Statues of Avvaiyar, the Pandya King, and poets from the Sangam era will be placed around the pond. In addition, the idols of Sri Ekambareswarar, Kamakshi Amman, and Karumariamman will be renovated, and a mandapam featuring couplets from the Thirukkural will be constructed. Parking facilities will also be created at the site.
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