Madurai, the ancient temple city and once the capital of the Pandya kingdom, came alive in spiritual grandeur on June 22 as lakhs of Bhagwan Murugan devotees gathered for Murugan Bhakthargal Aanmeega Maanadu (Spiritual Conference of Bhagwan Murugan Devotees). Held on an unprecedented scale at Amma Thidal near Pandikovil, the event drew an estimated five lakh devotees from across Tamil Nadu and beyond, signalling a powerful assertion of Hindu consciousness and resistance against divisive forces.
Preparations and Devotee Mobilisation
At the heart of this massive event was the overwhelming devotion of the people. The organisers had arranged 12,400 dedicated vehicles to ferry devotees from all parts of Tamil Nadu. Yet, even more—tens of thousands—chose to arrive in their own personal vehicles, reflecting an organic, self-driven spiritual wave. In total, nearly 50,000 vehicles were estimated to have converged around the city.
A special train service from Chennai to Tirunelveli, exclusively coordinated for the occasion, had already brought in hundreds of pilgrims. Additional buses and vans from remote districts turned the gathering into a truly pan-Tamil mobilisation for Lord Murugan.
A Sanskritik and Political Turning Point
The conference started off with cultural performances by students and dancers based on themes ranging from Bhagwan Murugan’s life to other mythological stories to ignite spiritual fervour among the attendees. The event witnessed the participation of over 100 sadhus, sanyasis, Mutt heads, and prominent religious figures, alongside political leaders. Despite the intense summer heat till 3 pm, the sky soon turned cloudy, followed by a cool breeze and intermittent rain showers—offering relief to the disciplined crowd that remained glued to their seats, completely immersed in the proceedings. The devotees, undeterred by the weather, watched intently, not wanting to miss a single moment.
The central stage was arranged with sadhus and political leaders seated side-by-side, against the divine backdrop of replicas of the Six Abodes (Arupadai Veedu) of Murugan—Palani, Thiruchendur, Swamimalai, Thiruthani, Pazhamudhircholai and Thiruparankundram—and a massive cut-out of Lord Murugan. This included designated parking for two-wheelers, vans, mini-buses and buses. Owing to the swelling numbers, two additional parking areas were arranged. Vehicles began arriving as early as Saturday morning.
Though additional police personnel had been deployed by State government, they mostly remained outside the venue—reportedly due to internal instructions to refrain from entering. However, their absence inside did not hinder the event, as the orderly and disciplined crowd never warranted intervention before, during, or after the conference.
Spiritual Discipline and Clean-up
At the end of the event, devotees voluntarily stacked the chairs and cleaned up litter including plastic bottles and wrappers. Unlike political rallies of DMK, AIADMK, TVK and others—often marked by post-event filth and stolen chairs—this gathering stood as a symbol of responsible devotion.The spiritual culmination came with joint chanting of Skanda Shasti Kavasam by all attendees, followed by a grand Aarathi to Lord Murugan.
Seminal Message to the State
The Murugan Conference, held under the leadership of Hindu Munnani and like-minded Hindu organisations, RSS, VHP and several Hindu spiritual matts, stood as a bold assertion of Hindu Ekta in Tamil Nadu—a clear counter to the long-standing Dravidianist rhetoric that questioned religious orthodoxy. Following a favourable High Court order after denial of permission, the conference was inaugurated with a stunning replica of the Arupadai Veedu, drawing over a lakh devotees even during the lead-up. From remote villages to metropolitan cities, the faithful formed a sea of devotion that reinforced Tamil Nadu’s deep-rooted spiritual heritage. This wasn’t just a dharmik congregation—it was a sanskritik movement, an awakening. As Lord Murugan watched over from his symbolic hillocks, his devotees reclaimed not only their faith, but their rightful space in the social and political landscape of Tamil Nadu.
Resolutions
- “Ayodhya Struggle of the South” : At the conference, six key resolutions were adopted that included complete control over Thirupparankundram hill in Madurai — a site they have described as the “Ayodhya struggle of the South”, which also houses a centuries-old Sikandar dargah and mosque. There were attempts to rename it as Sikkandar hill.
- Karthigai Deepam Lighting On Thiruparankundram Hill : The conference resolved that the sacred Karthigai Deepam festival should be formally celebrated atop the Thirupparankundram Hill, the first of the six abodes of Lord Murugan. Muslims this centuries old practices and there have been cases and orders
- On Operation Sindoor : The gathering extended its congratulations and support to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his firm response in the form of Operation Sindoor to the recent dastardly Pahalgam terror attack, recognising it as a decisive act of national security.
- Protection Of Murugan Temples and Hills : The conference demanded protection for Murugan-dedicated hills/hillocks, affirming that these sacred sites (Kundram) belong to Kumaran – Lord Muruga and should be preserved against encroachments or neglect. There was an attempt to name Chennmalai as Jesus hillock which was resisted by mass protests by Hindus.
- Abolition of the HR&CE Department : A major resolution called for freeing Temples from the control of the Tamil Nadu government’s Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department,saying that temple management should return to Hindu devotees and traditional custodians with an independent body.
- Hindu Vote Bank : The conference urged Hindus to remain united during elections and demonstrate their collective voting power. It underscored the need for a powerful Hindu vote bank.
- Observance of Shashti With Devotional Unity : It was resolved that the hymn Kanda Shashti Kavasam should be sung collectively (a community group chanting) by devotees across Tamil Nadu on Shashti day every month as an expression of unity and devotion.
State president of Hindu Munnani, Kadeswara Subramaniam, in his welcome address, highlighted the importance of the conference. He said, “There were elements that did not want the conference to be held or a crowd to gather. They denied us permissions and imposed restrictions, forcing us to seek legal intervention. Particularly, the state HR & CE Minister took a vow and even undertook penance to prevent the conference from happening. VCK leader Thirumavalavan, MDMK leader Vaiko and others opposed the event. Ironically, their efforts gave us free publicity—something we couldn’t have achieved even months in advance. We are ready to disclose the income and expenditure of our conference. Will the HR & CE Department and its minister do the same? They conducted a so-called universal Bhagwan Murugan conference using temple funds.” Kovai Kaumara Madalayam head, Ramananda Kumaraguru Swamigal, said Lord Murugan was the first to perform an inter-caste marriage. He married Valli, a Vanavasi girl, after falling in love with her. This, he said, was the first love marriage in the world. Tamil Nadu is a spiritual and divine soil. Bharat is a nation founded on spirituality and religion.
“One leader questioned why this conference is being held in Tamil Nadu—sowing seeds of division. Tomorrow, they may question the presence of Lord Shiva or Goddess Meenakshi. Such thoughts are extremely dangerous”
Jana Sena Party chief and Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan challenged Dravidian parties and pseudo-rationalists to question Abrahamic religions the way they challenge, mock and belittle Hindu beliefs under the guise of secularism.
Quoting a Tamil proverb, Saadhu mirandaal kaadu kolladhu—meaning “Even the forest cannot withstand the anger of a sage (a patient, innocent man)”—he cautioned that the patience and tolerance of devout Hindus should not be mistaken for weakness. The actor-turned-politician remarked that even if a thousand mice appear, they will retreat when one serpent hisses. Similarly, if the snake on the neck of Lord Shiva were to focus its eyes, the destroyers would scatter. Change is inevitable, he said, and “We will triumph by standing on dharmic values and trusting Lord Murugan.”
Pawan Kalyan began his address by reflecting on a dark chapter in Madurai’s history—the devastating invasion led by Malik Kafur, which plunged the city into darkness for nearly 60 years. It wasn’t until the late 14th century, he said, that light returned—when Prince Kumara Kampana of the Vijayanagar Empire rekindled the flame of hope and revival, restoring peace and cultural pride.
Wearing a green veshti and white shirt with a green towel over his shoulders, Pawan Kalyan said: “Our national faith is indestructible. No one can destroy it. Our culture is rooted so deeply that no force can shake us. From Kanyakumari to Kashmir, Dharma has always run deep—and it always will. That is the strength of this sacred land.”
Recalling his school days in Chennai, he said he was there at the will ofLord Murugan, who gave him courage and conviction in all his endeavours. “In Madurai, Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Shiva rule, and in nearby Thiruparankundram, Lord Murugan reigns. It is rare to see both mother and son ruling a city. The people here are truly blessed.”
“One leader questioned why this conference is being held in Tamil Nadu—sowing seeds of division. Tomorrow, they may question the presence of Lord Shiva or Goddess Meenakshi. Such thoughts are extremely dangerous. For atheists, insulting our gods has become a habit. If this trend continues, it will become difficult to preserve Hindu Dharma. ‘I am not a fanatic—but I am a committed Hindu’. I respect all religions, including Christianity and Islam, but there should be no disrespect for Hindu Dharma. I said that Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar, the icon of the Thevars and a major vote bank in southern Tamil Nadu, is an incarnation of Lord Murugan. He was the world’s first revolutionary leader.”
In a veiled critique of the DMK, Pawan Kalyan condemned the leaders who questioned why the Murugan Conference was being held in Tamil Nadu instead of Uttar Pradesh or Gujarat. “Such remarks aim to cause division and discredit Tamil Hindu identity. Today, they question Murugan; tomorrow, it could be Lord Shiva or the Amman. This line of thought is perilous.”
Emphasising this important point, Pawan Kalyan said, “A Christian can be a Christian. A Muslim can be a Muslim. But when a Hindu wants to remain a Hindu, it becomes a problem. If a Hindu is open about his faith, he is labelled a fundamentalist. This is the hypocrisy of their fake secularism. I have every right to practise my faith. Who are you to question that? We don’t question your beliefs—please show us the same civility. Even if you won’t respect my religion, at least don’t insult it. You dare to question Murugan—but would you ask the same questions of religions that came from Arabia? Do you have that courage? Don’t provoke us! Even a forest cannot withstand the anger of a sage!”
He added, “I went to Sabarimala at age 14. I saw people go to Thiruthani for Thai Poosam. When I studied in Mylapore, Chennai, I wore sacred ash (vibuthi) on my forehead. But within 10 years, people began questioning it. Even at age 14, I faced such questions. All of us have faced it at some point. But we didn’t make an issue of it, because we Hindus are secularists.”
“Murugan is Karthikeya in the North, Subrahmanya in Andhra and Karnataka. This conference isn’t about regional politics—it’s about our shared spiritual heritage. They ridicule our songs, our traditions. Who gave them the right to insult others’ beliefs?” he asked, urging Hindus to stand united in defence of Dharma. “Change is inevitable. But mocking sacred hymns like the Skanda Sashti Kavasam is a direct attack on the sentiments of Hindus.”
He further said, “In our country, secularism has become a convenient label—especially for atheists who claim they believe in no God. But their atheism applies only to Hindu Gods. This is the problem with Indian secularism: they abuse Hindu Gods and culture but dare not question any other religion. This group of atheists and so-called secularists has been gifted the right to free speech—but they misuse it to abuse our gods. If we object, they call it intolerance. But this must change. If not, it will become very difficult to sustain our Dharma. I repeat—I am not a fanatic Hindu, I am a committed Hindu. I respect Islam, I respect Christianity, but please—don’t disrespect my Hindu Dharma. Don’t misrepresent our aram (righteousness, values). This is my heartfelt plea.” turning all stones into stepping stones
TN State BJP president Nainar Nagendran, clad in a green dhoti, white shirt, and an angavastram on his shoulders, said, “The Hindu Munnani is turning all the stones, challenges, and hurdles thrown at the conference into stepping stones.” He spoke on spirituality, avoiding politics to comply with court conditions, saying that wherever there are hills or hillocks, there would be a temple for Lord Murugan. In Tamil, Murugan means beauty. If we chant “Muruga, Muruga…” everyone would melt emotionally.
Annamalai receives warm welcome
It is pertinent to note the amount of standing ovation and slogans hailing “long live” when people noticed former TN BJP president Annamalai entering the venue. It continued for several minutes. When the compère announced the next speaker, saying “I would not mention his name”, the crowd began waving scarves and chanting slogans.
In his speech, Annamalai made a strong pitch to safeguard Bharat’s cultural heritage and religious practices, emphasising that no one should be permitted to dismantle the nation’s cultural symbols.
He said, “Our traditional way of life must remain untouched. Children should proudly go to school wearing sacred ash (thiruneer) on their foreheads. From this point forward, we must not allow our cultural identity to be eroded. Religious conversions must stop, and efforts must be made to bring back those who have left our faith. Such trends are leading to the erosion of cultural identity.”
“Everyone who has come here has arrived as a devotee of Murugan, but don’t forget that when we leave, we must leave as Veerabahu,” he said.
Annamalai drew comparisons with global events, citing the Jewish community, which constitutes a mere 0.2 per cent of the world’s population, noting how they have stood their ground against external interference. Israel’s measures are to defend its way of life, including closing schools and moving hospitals underground during conflicts. “Israel boldly states that any threat to its way of life will be met with resistance. We must learn from that determination.”
Recalling the killings in Pahalgam on April 22 in Jammu and Kashmir, where 26 Hindus were shot dead for their beliefs, Annamalai said, “Retaliatory actions were taken. But even that becomes controversial for some. They criticise Operation Sindoor. Some felt aggrieved. There is no unity among Hindus; they (the attackers) hope no one will dare to question them. Emboldened by Hindu silence, they deem it their victory. But this conference gives them a death knell warning.” “This Murugan conference is being held not just for a Government that champions spirituality in a new way, but for society itself to guide itself with spirituality as its foundation.”
He said, “I mentioned there are 230 crore Christians. Over the last 10 years, the global Christian population has increased by 12 crore. I also mentioned there are 200 crore Muslims. In the last 10 years, the Muslim population has increased by 35 crore. If the current trajectory continues, by 2050 or 2055, the world will become Muslim-majority. Look at Christians today—there are more Christians in North Africa than in the entirety of Europe. We need to understand all this. Our cultural symbols should not be destroyed by anyone, anywhere. Our community, which is the fourth-largest majority community in a world of 120 crore people, must continue to remain so.”
“We cannot separate Lord Murugan and Avvaiyar”
Advocate Kanimozhi, mahila Samanvay leader, said, “Tamil Nadu is a land of spirituality, religion, culture, and righteousness (virtue/Dharmic principles).” She spoke in detail about the women sages and poets Avvaiyar and Karaikal Ammaiyar, highlighting their deep devotion and dedication to God. Both remained spinsters in lifelong service to the Divine. Avvaiyar worked tirelessly to promote the Tamil language through her literary works.
“Our traditional way of life must remain untouched. Children should proudly go to school wearing sacred ash (thiruneer) on their foreheads. From this point forward, we must not allow our cultural identity to be eroded”
“We cannot separate Lord Murugan and Avvaiyar,” she said. “The crowd has given a fitting reply to those who made disparaging remarks about the Skanda Shasti Kavasam. Today, lakhs of people are singing it together, and the whole world can witness it.”
“RSS considers all as part of one family, one society Dakshin Kshetra Sanghachalak Vannirajan said that the RSS, which is marking 100 years of its formation, has decided not to hold any celebratory events, but instead focus on eradicating untouchability from society.
“There are temples in this country where SC/STs are still not allowed to enter and pray. This must change. We are prioritising such issues,” he said.
He called upon the people to unite in the cause of Hindu welfare. “The success of this conference lies in the unity of Hindus. RSS considers all as part of one family, one society. It upholds lofty ideals and principles. We treat all women as mothers and consider others’ wealth as sacred as the Earth itself. There should be no caste-based discrimination in our society. Both untouchability and discrimination have caused deep damage.
RSS considers untouchability a sin that must be eradicated. This conference will bring about change in that direction.”
Responses
In fact, while interacting with participants, the Organiser team met two women who had travelled all the way from Hosur nearly 400 kms away—directly, just to be a part of this grand event. One of them shared that the controversy around Thiruparankundram Hill deeply angered her. She believes this event will mark a turning point for the state, as non-dharmic DMK politicians are openly going against Murugan, who is the very soul of Tamil culture.
A father, holding his child on his shoulders who is dressed as Murugan with Vel in hand, said with moist eyes, “This is what devotion looks like… being here with my son. Listening to the speeches today made me realise something deep—we were made to turn against our own faith without even knowing it. Everything the speakers said, it’s all true… these things were happening around us, but we never noticed how they slowly entered our minds and changed our behaviour. We had forgotten who we are.” A retired banker shared his thoughts quietly, “This kind of conference should have happened long ago. I’ve been waiting for a moment like this—especially hearing political leaders speak the voice of Murugan devotees. It feels like someone finally understands. For too long, we’ve been fed only Dravidian politics, and our cultural identity was quietly taken away from us. We didn’t even realise it. But now, we won’t make that mistake again.”
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