Chennai’s Chromepet Murugan Temple has become the centre of a heated controversy following reports of damage to its rare Navapashanam Murugan’s murti, a unique amalgam of medicinal minerals and herbs believed to possess healing properties. The temple, located on North Masjid Street in Hasthinapuram, has drawn increasing attention from devotees since the discovery, prompting authorities to investigate the allegations.
A Rare Murti Under Threat
Navapashanam murti, originally crafted by Siddhar Bogar, are renowned for their mystical and medicinal qualities. While the most famous Navapashanam’s murti is at the Palani Dhandayuthapani Temple, the Chromepet murti, installed in 2015 at a cost of ₹35 lakh, is lesser known but equally revered. The three-foot murti reportedly emits positive energy and is believed to heal various ailments, attracting devotees to the temple.
Ramesh Kumar, instrumental in the temple’s consecration, recently filed a complaint with District Magistrate S. Arunraj, alleging that the murti and its pedestal had been damaged. He reported scraping marks on the murti, and significant alterations to its pedestal, which had been changed from circular to square in shape. Suspicions have been raised that miscreants targeted the minerals in the idol for their purported healing properties.
Official Inspection Confirms Damage
In response to the complaint, revenue officials and police conducted an inspection of the temple. Their report confirmed that the idol had indeed sustained damage, including a broken left leg and scraping marks on its surface. Sculptor Selvakumar, who was allowed to inspect the murti during a peace committee meeting on November 28, corroborated these findings.
Selvakumar noted attempts to scrape the Navapashanam amalgam and highlighted the pedestal’s alteration. The committee, including both the complainants and temple administration, agreed to involve the HR and CE (Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments) department in further proceedings.
The authorities are considering transferring the murti to the HR and CE department for safekeeping. In the interim, the temple administration may also be placed under HR and CE oversight to ensure its security.
History of Murti Tampering
The incident has sparked memories of past controversies involving Navapashanam murti. In 2018, the Tamil Nadu Idol Wing CID uncovered a conspiracy to replace the original Navapashanam murti of Palani temple, crafted by Siddhar Bogar, with a counterfeit. The replacement, made in 2003-04, was a 200 kg Panchaloha murti that reportedly lacked specific metals, including gold.
The case implicated renowned sculptor Muthiah Sthapathi and officials from the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, who were arrested for their alleged roles in the attempted idol swap and gold misappropriation.
Growing Concerns Among Devotees
The Chromepet temple has been drawing increasing numbers of devotees eager to darshan the unique Navapashanam Murugan idol. However, news of damage and tampering has left many concerned about the idol’s preservation and the potential loss of its mystical and medicinal properties.
Ramesh Kumar and other devotees have called for stringent measures to protect the idol and ensure that such incidents are not repeated. Local authorities have promised to conduct a thorough investigation to determine the extent of the damage and the motives behind the suspected tampering.
As the peace committee deliberates the future of the Chromepet Murugan idol, devotees are urging transparency and strict action to safeguard the temple’s heritage.
