The temple city of Madurai is gearing up for a historic religious mobilisation as over 5 lakh devotees are expected to converge for the Murugan Devotees Conference (Muruga Bhaktargal Maanaadu) on June 22. The event, organised by Hindu Munnani in collaboration with the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and other Hindu organisations is being projected as one of the largest Hindu gatherings in recent Tamil Nadu history.
As per the latest reports, nearly 2 lakh devotees have already confirmed through their bus and train bookings and reached the pickup points to start their journey from all districts of the state and they are expected to reach by 3pm to Madurai.
At the heart of the conference is a call for Hindu unity and cultural consolidation, with the organisers describing it as a spiritual effort to bring together all the devotees. The collective recitation of the Kanda Sashti Kavasam, a hymn dedicated to Bhagwan Murugan, will be a central feature of the event.
The programme has drawn national attention, especially with the confirmed participation of major political and religious figures, including:
- Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath
- Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan
- Hindu Munnani State President: Kadeswara Subramaniam
- Tamil Nadu BJP State President Nainar Nagendran
- Senior BJP Leader H. Raja
- Union Minister of State: L. Murugan
Grassroots Mobilisation on an Unprecedented Scale
According to Hindu Munnani, over 50 lakh invitation pamphlets with images of Bhagwan Murugan have been printed and distributed across Tamil Nadu. The campaign in the Kongu region includes performances of Valli Kummi, a traditional folk art form, to engage local communities.
VHP State General Secretary Bala Manimaran likened the mobilisation effort to an Ayyappa pilgrimage, pointing out that the conference will bring together not just Murugan devotees but followers of all sects.
Thiruparankundram as a Flashpoint
The sacred hill of Thiruparankundram, one of Bhagwan Murugan’s six abodes, has become a point of contention in the lead-up to the event. Hindus have raised concerns over alleged efforts to rename the hill as “Sikandar Hill”, accusing the DMK government of encouraging the “Islamisation” of heritage sites.
Hindu Munnani leaders clarified that the conference was not a political event but a “spiritual awakening” to safeguard the rights and identity of Hindus.
Legal Hurdles and Political Pushback
Despite the religious and cultural nature of the gathering, the organisers faced stiff resistance from the DMK-led state government, with police denying initial permissions. The matter escalated to the Madras High Court, which questioned the state’s objections and eventually cleared the event. Legal experts and religious leaders have hailed the court’s intervention as a landmark victory for religious freedom and democratic rights in Tamil Nadu.
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