In a major victory that showcases the power of Hindu unity, the Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department has given permission to conduct the kumbabishegam of the Kari Varadaraja Perumal Temple located at Annur near Coimbatore.
The temple is believed to be around five centuries old and it is said that 14 years have elapsed since the last kumbabishegam (temple consecration) happened.
Devotees repaired and renovated the temple with their by pooling contributions on their own. The Thiruppani group (temple volunteers) with the help of other devotees had constructed a mandapam and a sannadhi (shrine) for 12 Azhwars along with the expansion of the circumambulatory path.
The thiruppani group had applied to the HR&CE department last month for conducting the temple consecration. Sacred waters were brought from the Bhavani sangamam were brought and other rituals were commenced. The Kumbabishegam was slated to be held on 1 December 2023 with grand fervor and invitations were already printed and distributed.
However, on the evening of 29 November 2023, officials from the office of the Joint Commissioner of the HR&CE department informed them to “complete the pending work” and then hold the kumbabishegam.
The thiruupani group had contended that they had completed all the work and that no work was pending adding that the temple.
Selva Kumar, Vice President of BJP Tamil Nadu’s Industrial Cell alleged that the permission was denied as the devotees refused to pay 30% commission to the government officials.
அன்னூர் கரிவரதராஜர் கோவிலில் ₹2.5 கோடி மதிப்பில் பக்தர்கள் நன்கொடையில் திருப்பணிகள் செய்யபட்டு நாளை 01.12.23 காலை 7.45க்கு கும்பாபிஷேகம் நடப்பதாக இருந்தது.
நேற்று 29.11.23அதிகாலை 5.00 முதல் யாகசாலை பூஜைகள் தொடங்கின.
ஆனால், அறநிலையத்துறை அதிகாரி ரமேஷ் கிடைக்க வேண்டிய 30%… pic.twitter.com/lMDgCDPjf8— Selva Kumar (@Selvakumar_IN) November 30, 2023
The BJP along with Hindu Munnani had threatened to carry out a massive protest if the HR&CE didn’t give permission.
Following this clarion call, the HR&CE reportedly has given the permission to carry out the kumbabishegam on 14 December 2023. They have put a condition that no receipts in the name of the temple shall be printed and money be collected from the public. The department has also stated that the ceremony should be held “without causing inconvenience to the public” with all necessary safety arrangements including fire service.
The BJP, Hindu Munnani and other Hindu organizations have cancelled the protest following the permission given by the HR&CE department.
கோவை மாவட்டம் அன்னூர் – பழமை வாய்ந்த கரி வரதராஜ பெருமாள் கோவிலின் குடமுழுக்கு விழாவிற்கு அனுமதி கோரி, விண்ணப்பித்திருந்த திருக்கோவில் நிர்வாகத்தின் கடிதத்தை, இந்து சமய அறநிலையத்துறை நிராகரித்து தடை விதித்தது.
இதையடுத்து இந்துமுன்னணி மாநிலத் தலைவர் கண்டன அறிக்கைக்கு பிறகு, வேறு… pic.twitter.com/iy5Bevir3s
— Hindu Munnani (@hindumunnani_tn) December 2, 2023
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