Locals near the Subramanian Swamy temple in the Tiruvannamalai district have urged the district authorities to stop illegal encroachers from occupying temple property in the hills.
The Subramanian Swamy Temple, located in Vilvarani village near Kalasapakkam in the Thiruvannamalai district, is well-known among the locals. Devotees flock to this temple to worship Lord Murugan on special occasions such as the Panguni festival and take kavadi during the month of Adi and Kriththikai. Poojas are conducted three times in a day and annadanam (free lunch) is provided every afternoon to all. On special days, the hill surrounding the temple is regularly visited by devotees.
Encroachers are reportedly attempting to break the rocks in the area around the hill in order to level the ground and occupy the site. In addition, some residents of the area are engaged in the construction of houses and cowsheds on property owned by the temple.
Devotees have also accused that these constructions are obstructing circumambulation (girivalam) around the temple hills. They have demanded that the temple land, which is under the control of HR&CE, be immediately protected from encroachers.
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