Meenakshi Temple Glistening in the glow of decorative lights
MADURAI: The stage is set in Madurai for one of the biggest events of the decade in the city, with the Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple consecration finally taking place on Thursday after a 17-year gap. The city corporation on Wednesday sealed 36 structurally weak buildings in and around the temple zone, fearing people could enter or climb them when crowds swell during the ceremony. The consecration will be held between 7.40 am and 8.10 am, while public darshan will begin from 10 am. Five temporary bus stands, about 70 parking locations and additional barricades along approach roads have been arranged to regulate arrivals and prevent crowd surges. HR&CE minister Ramesh responded that 27 govt-appointed Tamil othuvars from across Tamil Nadu had been deployed for the consecration. He said 2,000 passes had been issued to the public for access to designated upper-level zones, with final capacity subject to structural clearance.
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“Non-Brahmin practitioners were being excluded from core rituals while othuvars were largely restricted to singing hymns outside sanctums,” she said, demanding disclosure of those selected to perform Tamil rituals. He said arrangements had been made for Tamil recitation during yagasala pujas and other ceremonies. “Tamil will not be left out of the ceremony,” he said, adding that the govt would continue giving the language priority. Nirmal Kumar said the temple joint commissioner had been asked to address trustees’ grievances and provide required support.
But the final hours brought building closures, traffic curbs, protests by Tamil othuvars and questions over passes and access around the temple. Commissioner Gaurav Kumar also issued notices to owners, including those of some temple properties, directing demolition of unsafe structures within seven days. The notices warned that owners would be held responsible if any accident occurred. Police have meanwhile barred large gatherings on terraces and rooftops surrounding the temple, where residents and visitors could attempt to watch the consecration. Teams have already checked houses along the adjoining streets for outsiders. Vehicular movement has been stopped across Chithirai, Avani Moola and Masi Streets during the ceremony, with the temple precinct becoming a pedestrian-only zone. Amid the preparations, Tamil othuvars protested outside the temple seeking a larger role in the rituals. Sathyabama of a Tamil Veda-Agama training organisation sought permission for trained practitioners to conduct sanctum worship, yagasala rituals and pouring of consecrated water over temple kalasams in Tamil. Electricity and law minister C T R Nirmalkumar also rejected allegations of political interference in pass distribution, raised amid complaints from temple trustee board chairperson Rukmini Palanivel Rajan over the arrangements. Download the TOI App.