The hike in temple fees, including darshan charges and fees for reciting holy hymns such as Skanda Sashti Kavasam, has sparked outrage among devotees. The move, attributed to the DMK’s HR and CE department, is seen by many as an attempt to generate more revenue for the financially strapped government. However, critics argue that there is a hidden agenda behind these increases—to discourage devotees from visiting temples.
Tiruchendur Subramania Swamy Temple, one of the six abodes of Lord Murugan, witnesses a constant influx of devotees throughout the year. The Skanda Sashti festival, which commenced on November 13, 2023, with traditional fervour, is set to culminate in the Surasamharam event on the beach on the evening of November 18, 2023.
Under the control of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR and CE) department, the temple has seen multiple fee hikes, leaving devotees in shock. Reports suggest that the Abhishekam Darshan fee, previously at Rs 500 per person on normal days and Rs 2000 on auspicious days, has seen a staggering rise to Rs 3000. Similarly, the Vishwarupa Darshan fee, usually Rs 100 for the early morning first darshan, has been hiked to Rs 2000, and the express Darshan fee surged from Rs 100 to Rs 1000.
While HR and CE department officials cite a government order (GO) passed in 2017 for the upward revision of ticket rates, the Joint Commissioner of the Lord Subramaniya Swami Temple, Karthik, clarified that the practice of selling a special darshan ticket for Rs 100 along with a Rs 1000 ticket has been in place since 2017. He accused certain elements of spreading baseless allegations to harm the image of the HR&CE Department, emphasizing that the increased ticket rates have been in effect since 2017.
The sudden fee hikes have left devotees bewildered, especially considering that the special darshan fee had already been increased in 2022. The arrests of protesting devotees highlight the escalating tension between the temple authorities and the worshipers.
As the Skanda Sashti festival continues, the devotees’ fervour is met with dissatisfaction, raising concerns about the accessibility of religious practises in the face of increasingly prohibitive fees. The clash between devotees and authorities underscores the broader debate about the commercialization of religious spaces and its impact on the devotees’ spiritual experience.
Dravidian Model Jizya in TN. pic.twitter.com/AO6iWh2TWD
— Vishwatma 🇮🇳 ( மோடியின் குடும்பம் ) (@HLKodo) November 14, 2023
The controversy over the steep hike in darshan charges at the Tiruchendur Subramania Swamy Temple took a violent turn as members of Hindu Munnani organised a protest urging the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR and CE) department to roll back the fee increases in the interest of devotees.
Hindu Munnani leader Brahamanayagam, citing an earlier High Court order emphasising equality before the Lord, questioned the need for VIP, Special, Quick, and Express darshan options with varying fees. He argued that all devotees should be charged a nominal, equal fee, questioning why individuals seeking a glimpse of their deity and offering prayers should be subjected to varying charges. State Vice President VP Jayakumar, State General Secretary Dr. Government Raja, State Secretary Advocate Courtalanathan, and numerous Muruga devotees joined the protest inside the temple premises, demanding the reversal of what they deemed as unfair fees.
The peaceful demonstration took a drastic turn when Aathur police inspector Balamurugan entered the crowd and initiated an attack on the devotees. A scuffle ensued, turning the Tiruchendur East Prakaram into what appeared to be a war zone. Video footage of the incident, widely circulated on social media, depicts the police officer pushing and physically assaulting devotees with his bare hands.
Over 200 devotees, including leaders of the Hindu Front, were subsequently arrested and confined in the Tiruchendur Mandapam. Condemning the police action, BJP MLA and All India BJP Mahila Forum President Vanathi Srinivasan accused the police of acting as stooges for the DMK government. In a social media post, she questioned the government’s claim of secularism while allegedly isolating Hindu temples and engaging in what she described as unlawful activities. The clash between devotees and law enforcement highlights the escalating tensions surrounding the temple fee issue.
திருச்செந்தூர் முருகன் கோவில் தரிசன கட்டணத்தை ரத்து செய்ய கோரி போராட்டத்தில் ஈடுபட்ட @hindumunnani_tn நிர்வாகிகள் மீதும் பொது மக்கள் மீதும் திமுகவின் ஏவல் துறையாக செயல்படும் காவல்துறை தாக்குதல் நடத்தியுள்ளது.
அறம் கெட்ட அறநிலையத்துறை கட்டண கொள்ளையில் ஈடுபட்டதை தட்டிக்கேட்ட 200… pic.twitter.com/5c6uXkbeLM— Vanathi Srinivasan (@VanathiBJP) November 16, 2023
The DMK government is facing accusations of making concerted efforts to take control of the revered Chidambaram Natarajar Temple, traditionally belonging to the Pothu Dikshithar denomination. Allegedly involved in orchestrating protests, leveling false accusations, and intimidating the Dikshitars, the government has drawn severe criticism for subjecting their daughters to a two-finger test. Governor R.N. Ravi echoed these charges in an interview with a leading daily, adding fuel to the growing controversy.
A man was seen taking Rs 1000 from the devotees without giving them the receipt and was allowing them to do the darshan. There is no accountability of where the money is going. On the contrary, the same DMK government is giving subsidies to Christians and Muslims to go to Jerusalem and Mecca. However, Hindu Gods have exhibition items for them.
The accusations come on the heels of a prior controversy in August 2022, when the DMK government, along with its Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department, faced backlash for a special yagna conducted at the Thiruchendur Subramania Swamy Temple by Chief Minister MK Stalin’s son-in-law, Sabarisan Vedamurthy. The ritual, known as Kshatru Samhara Yagam, is performed to “destroy and finish-off enemies,” typically undertaken by powerful businessmen and politicians seeking wealth, power, and protection from evil forces.
The temple administration’s decision to erect barricades during the event, hindering devotees from accessing the Valli cave, was widely criticized as a blatant misuse of power. Critics argue that Sabarisan Vedamurthy, not holding a VIP status or elected membership in the assembly or Lok Sabha, was given undue importance, causing inconvenience to devotees.
The six abodes of Lord Muruga, including Thiruchendur, Palani, Tiruparnankundram, Swamimalai, Pazhamudhur Cholai, and Tiruttani, have become revenue-generating assets for the HR&CE department. The controversies surrounding Chidambaram Natarajar Temple and Thiruchendur Subramania Swamy Temple raise questions about the government’s role in religious affairs and the alleged misuse of power in the administration of these sacred sites.
