Plea in Madras High Court against closing Arulmigu Devanathaswamy temple doors

Justice S. Vaidyanathan posted after two weeks further hearing of the petition filed by Swamy Govindaramanuja Dasar, which also sought a direction to the authorities to conduct an enquiry on his complaint alleging that the temple was closed during the festival at the instance of Vadakilai sect Vaishnavites to prevent the entry of Thenkilai sect Vaishnavites from entering into the temple.

According to the petitioner, the presiding deity in Sri Manavala Mamunigal sannadhi used to be taken out on procession every month on Moola Natchathra and on 10 days festival in the Tamil month Iyppasi. The procession which starts from the Manavala Mamunigal temple proceeds round the Devanathaswamy temple on all festival days. During the festival which commenced on October 29, 2013 as a worshipper, he also attended the festival. During the procession of Manavala Mamunigal when the Manavala Munigal deity reached near the entrance of Devanathaswamy temple, some of the Vaishnavites belonging to Vadakilai sect closed the doors of the Devanathaswamy temple.

He objected to the same but could not prevent the closing of the doors. The Vadakilai sect standing near the doors of the temple tried to attack him and shouted at him stating that he belonged to an untouchable group and also stated that the entire devotees, followers and worshippers of Sri Manavala Mamunigal were to be treated as untouchables and they cannot enter the Devanathaswamy temple when Sri Manavala Mamunigal deity was taken in procession.

There was heated argument between the two sects near the entrance of the temple. Therefore, he gave a complaint to the HR&CE, which was forwarded to the executive officer of the temple. But no action was taken. This year, the 10 days festival starts from October 19. So, he filed the present petition, he added.