Devotees of the famous Palani Dandayuthapani Swami Hill Temple were left shocked after part of the Rajagopuram (temple tower) was found damaged. The temple, one of the six sacred abodes (Arupadai Veedu) of Lord Murugan, draws thousands of visitors daily from across Tamil Nadu and other states. Annual festivals such as Thaipusam and Panguni Uthiram are celebrated with great devotion, attracting large crowds.
The temple’s Kumbabhishekam, a sacred consecration ceremony, was last performed on 27 January 2023, after a 16-year gap. However, just a year and a half later, a portion of the top of the Rajagopuram broke off, particularly in the horn-like area on both sides. This unexpected damage has left many devotees deeply concerned.
Temple officials have acknowledged the damage, assuring devotees that steps are being taken to repair the tower. “It is true that a part of the Rajagopuram has been damaged. We are in the process of rehabilitating the area, and a small-scale Kumbabhishekam and reparation puja will be performed after the repairs. Devotees should not be alarmed,” a temple official reportedly said.
உலக புகழ் பெற்ற பழனி முருகன் கோயிலுக்கு கடந்த 2023ஆம் ஆண்டு ஜனவரி மாதம் 27ஆம் தேதி கும்பாபிஷேகம் நடைபெற்றது. குடமுழுக்கு நடைபெற்று 21 மாதங்களே ஆன நிலையில், கோயிலின் ராஜகோபுரத்தில் உள்ள ஒரு பகுதி சேதமடைந்து இடிந்து விழுந்திருப்பது பக்தர்கள் இடையே அதிர்ச்சியை ஏற்படுத்தியுள்ளது.… pic.twitter.com/gl5SfzaTa4
— M Nachiappan (@BJPNach) October 1, 2024
The Palani Temple Devasthanam has requested the Stapati Committee to assess and address the damaged Rajagopuram. Experts are investigating the cause of the structural failure, and the restoration efforts will be closely monitored to ensure the temple’s safety and sanctity.
The temple had undergone major renovations, with the Palanayam ritual held on 2 December 2019, marking the start of the Kumbabhishekam works. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the ceremony was delayed by three years before finally taking place in January 2023.
Devotees have urged the temple administration to expedite repairs and ensure the structural integrity of the Rajagopuram is maintained, hoping for swift restoration of this sacred structure.
Hindu Munnani Issues Condemnation
The Hindu Munnani expressed strong condemnation regarding the damage to the Rajagopuram of the Palani Sri Dandayuthapani Swami Temple, which they described as one of Tamil Nadu’s most iconic and revenue-generating temples. The organization highlighted that less than two years after the Kumbabhishekam was hastily conducted, the structural integrity of the temple had already been compromised. Hindu Munnani pointed out that they had previously warned against conducting the Kumbabhishekam in an emergency, without proper preparation, and emphasized that the ritual, as per Agama traditions, should only be performed once every 12 years, following a thorough assessment of the temple’s condition.
They also criticized the temple administration for offering what they called an “absurd excuse,” blaming monkeys for the damage to the Rajagopuram. According to Hindu Munnani, the temple’s structure should not be so fragile that monkeys could cause harm, and they raised concerns about the safety of pilgrims. The organization urged that the stability of the entire temple should be reassessed immediately, with repairs and maintenance undertaken before any further poojas or rituals were carried out.
Hindu Munnani questioned the Charities Minister’s claims that Kumbabhishekam had been conducted at over 2000 temples under the Dravida Model, asking whether these ceremonies were similarly rushed and substandard. They cited various incidents in other temples, including the overturning of chariots, the untimely death of temple elephants, and structural damages, which had heightened fears among Tamil Nadu’s devotees.
The organization demanded transparency and accountability from the Palani temple administration, questioning whether the Kumbabhishekam was conducted properly or rushed for political or financial reasons. They rejected the explanation that monkeys were responsible for the damage, insisting that poor maintenance and substandard execution were likely the real issues. Hindu Munnani concluded by calling for an immediate inquiry into the incident, along with a reassessment of the temple’s safety to prevent further endangerment of devotees and to preserve the sanctity of Tamil Nadu’s temples.
பழனி ஸ்ரீ தண்டாயுதபாணி சாமி கோவில், ராஜகோபுரத்தில் சேதம்.!
அவசர கதியில் கும்பாபிஷேகம் வேண்டாமென அன்றே எச்சரித்தது இந்துமுன்னணி.!தமிழகத்தில் அதிக பக்தர்கள் வரக்கூடிய மற்றும் அதிக வருமானம் வரக்கூடிய முதன்மை கோயில் பழனி ஸ்ரீ தண்டாயுதபாணி சுவாமி கோவில் ஆகும். pic.twitter.com/tr64Q55NXg
— Hindu Munnani (@hindumunnani_tn) October 1, 2024
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