About 207 Vanvasis, mostly Christians, from 54 families returned to their original roots in Tamaraikulam, a deep forest area near Kodaikanal, a hill station in Dindigul District of Tamil Nadu. They belong to Hill tribes. They have been working in estates owned by Christians since 1940 and they were converted to Christianity step by step. A shuddi function was organised at Tamaraikulam on August 9 by Vishwa Hindu Parishad to receive them formally back to Hinduism. Sri S Vedantam, working president of VHP received them and distributed Vibhuthi, Kumkum, campaign and Kamakshi Deepam.
Speaking on the occasion Sri Vedantam said Hinduism has no birth or death, it is a Sanatana dharma. English rulers divided us and they separated Girijan and Vanavasi and converted them. In his blessings, Swami Thatevananda said Girijan became Christians due to ignorance and it is our duty to give knowledge to them. VHP state general secretary Sri S Gopalaratnam, Kendra joint secretary Sri Satyam, state joint general secretary Sri BK Kumaran, state joint secretary Sri Perumal, state organising secretary Sri PM Nagarajan and Madurai zonal organising secretary Sri PK Sampath Kumar also participated in the function.
(FOC)
