People protest against move by Highways Department to demolish Hindu temple

Featured Image: Representational Photograph

A Murugan Temple that was built over 40 years ago on the Pudukottai Road in Karambakudy is one of the most famous temples in the area. Apart from the presiding deity Lord Murugan, Lord Dakshinamoorthy, Lord Shiva and Lord Ganesha are also housed in the temple. Hundreds of devotees visit this temple daily and it is customary for five to ten weddings to take place at these temples on auspicious days.

A petition had been filed in the Madurai High Court seeking the removal of the temple on the grounds that the temple is allegedly present on land owned by the Highways Department. The High Court, which heard the petition, ruled in September last year to demolish the temple. Following this, the Highways Department had sent notices to the management of the temple twice in the last six months.

The Highways Department had urged the temple administration to relocate the temple. The public has demanded that the temple not be demolished until the elections. However, the Highways Department said that if the temple is not demolished within 15 days, the department would take steps to remove the temple.

Devotees in the area are in opposition to the demolition of the Karambakudy Murugan Temple, which is a temple frequented by the poor in the area. They are concerned over the Highways Department’s demand that the temple be demolished.

Click here to subscribe to The Commune on Telegram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.