Dravidian Model: 2 Security Guards Hacked To Death At HR&CE-Administered Temple In Virudhunagar In Suspected Robbery Attempt, Hundi Money And CCTV Footage Hard-Disk Reportedly Missing
Two night security guards were found murdered at the Nachadai Thavirthu Aruliaswamy Temple near Rajapalayam in Tamil Nadu’s Virudhunagar district early Tuesday morning. Police suspect the killings were linked to an attempted theft from the temple’s hundi.
The victims have been identified as Pechimuthu (60) and Sankar Pandian (50), both employed as night watchmen at the temple, which is managed by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department.
The crime came to light around 6:00 AM when Madasamy, another guard who worked the day shift, arrived for duty. He found the smaller gate of the temple’s main entrance open and, upon entering, discovered the two men lying near the flagpole in pools of blood with multiple deep cut injuries. He immediately informed temple officials and the local police.
விருதுநகர் மாவட்டம் ராஜபாளையம் அருகே தேவதானம் ஊரில் உள்ள, பிரசித்தி பெற்ற, பஞ்சபூத சிவ தலங்களில் ஆகாய ஸ்தலமாக விளங்கும், அருள்மிகு நச்சாடை தவிர்த்தருளிய சுவாமி திருக்கோவிலில், இரவு நேரக் காவலாளிகளான திரு. பேச்சிமுத்து மற்றும் சங்கரபாண்டியன் ஆகியோர், வெட்டிக் கொலை செய்யப்பட்டுள்ள… pic.twitter.com/bouPl6gyHC
— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) November 11, 2025
Investigation Underway
Police teams, led by senior officers, reached the spot and began an investigation. Forensic experts and sniffer dogs were deployed, and CCTV footage from the temple premises and nearby areas is being examined to trace the culprits.
The temple’s hundi was found broken open, and officials suspect that the murders occurred when the guards tried to stop the intruders from stealing temple funds. Police said they are also verifying whether any antique idols or temple jewellery—the temple houses sculptures estimated to be over 500 years old—were stolen.
A senior police officer told NDTV, “It’s a clear case of murder and robbery breaking open the temple collection box. We believe the guards resisted, and there was a skirmish. The culprits will be nabbed soon.”
As news of the double murder spread, relatives of the deceased gathered outside the temple and demanded swift arrests, refusing to accept the bodies until those responsible were apprehended.
The bodies were later sent to the Rajapalayam Government Hospital for post-mortem examination.
Background
The Nachadai Thavirthu Aruliaswamy Temple, also known as Nachadai Thavirtharuliyia Swami Temple, is a prominent Shiva shrine near Rajapalayam, regarded as the “Akasha Sthalam” among the Pancha Bhoota Shiva temples in southern Tamil Nadu. It operates under the HR&CE Department and attracts devotees from across the region.
The investigation is being supervised by DIG Abhinav Kumar and Superintendent of Police Kannan. Police teams continue to comb the area for suspects as the double murder has triggered widespread concern among devotees and local residents.
This double murder comes days after several other similar murders in the state.
(Source: NDTV)
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