‘Temple opened early for actor Vijay’

Karaikal: A controversy is brewing over the opening of the gates of the famous Lor­d Dharbaranyeswarar temple in Tirunallar ahead of the conventional time on Saturday during the visit of actor Vijay.

Karaikal based lawyer S.P.S. Nathan alleges that temple authorities violated the Agama Shastras by open­ing the main gate of the ancient shrine at 2:30 am, ahead of conventional time to enable Vijay to visit the temple.

“Agama Shastras cannot be flexible and could not be violated for the visit of VIPs. This is the month of Margazhi and the temple normally should open at 5 am and not 3 am as was done.
Action should be taken against actor Vijay, temple officials and others who were responsible for the violation of time honoured conventions and shastras,” Nathan told this newspaper.

When contacted, Raja­rajan Veerasamy, temple EO, said that the main gates of the temple was opened at 3:40 am and not at 2:30 am. He said it was allowed to open the main gates between 3 and 4 am during the month of Marg­azhi. As it was a Saturday a large flow of devotees was expected and with a VIP visit, the shrine was open­ed at 3:40 am.

He added that opening of the main gates ahead of the conventional time was in vogue particularly during the visit of VIPs. The agitated lawyer may not have been convinced by the expl­anation and he dashed off a letter to the District Ad­mi­ni­s­t­ra­tion seeking acti­on for injuring the sentiments of Hindus.