Justice GR Swaminathan of the Madras High Court has directed the Secretary of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department to file a report regarding the controversy surrounding Tamil Nadu minister CTR Nirmal Kumar’s visit to the Thirupparankundram Subramaniya Swamy Temple in Madurai.
What happened when Minister Nirmal Kumar visited the Subramaniya Swamy Temple at Thiruparankundram ?
The Madras High Court has directed the HR&CE Department Secretary to file a report regarding the controversy surrounding Minister Nirmal Kumar’s visit to the Subramaniya Swamy… pic.twitter.com/bXPRlmjhxL
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The controversy erupted after devotees alleged that the temple’s scheduled afternoon closing rituals were delayed on 16 May 2026 exclusively to accommodate the minister’s darshan, triggering criticism over alleged violation of Agama rules and preferential treatment for ruling-party figures.
The Thirupparankundram Murugan Temple, regarded as the first of Lord Murugan’s six sacred abodes, usually closes at 1:00 PM and reopens only at 4:00 PM. As part of the regular procedure, entrances begin shutting around 12:45 PM and devotees inside the temple are gradually asked to exit before the afternoon closure.
However, according to devotees, the temple remained open until around 1:30 PM on the day of the minister’s visit.
Minister Nirmal Kumar, who was elected MLA from the Thirupparankundram constituency and was making his first visit to the temple after assuming office in the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam government, reportedly arrived at the temple around 12:57 PM directly from the Madurai airport.
Temple Deputy Commissioner Gnanasekar, Sivachariyars and temple officials were present to receive him. The minister was escorted into the temple around 1:00 PM, where trustees, officials and party members welcomed him with shawls. Priests also accorded him Poorna Kumbha honours.
The controversy intensified after allegations emerged that the minister continued his darshan even after the scheduled closing time and was permitted access into areas near the sanctum. Devotees also alleged that large numbers of party cadres accompanying the minister were allowed inside while ordinary worshippers waiting in queues were inconvenienced.
According to reports, the minister completed his darshan and left the temple around 1:20 PM, after which the temple doors were finally closed at approximately 1:30 PM.
Several devotees questioned whether ordinary worshippers would have been granted similar concessions and alleged that long-standing temple procedures and Agama rules had been selectively relaxed for a ruling-party minister and his entourage.
Further controversy erupted after members of the minister’s entourage and TVK cadres allegedly entered areas close to the sanctum and used mobile phones to take photographs and record videos for social-media reels inside the temple premises.
Taking note of the allegations, Justice GR Swaminathan directed the HR&CE Department Secretary to submit a report within a week regarding the incident and the circumstances under which the temple’s closure procedures were allegedly delayed for the minister’s visit.
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