Srivilliputhur: The “Lotus Kolam” drawn at the Aandal temple at Srivilliputhur was erased by officials, who viewed it as violation of modal code of conduct, creating a flutter among devotees.
The 'Kolams' were drawn on March 14,using white washing lime powder at the outer “prakara” of the temple in view of the ten-day celestial wedding of Goddess Aandal with Lord Rengamannar, which commenced on March 13 with the hoisting of the temple flag.
Among the 'Kolams' were lotus, which is coincidentally the symbol of the BJP. The lotus 'Kolams', however were video-graphed and uploaded in the 'cVIGIL App' of the Election Commission by an anonymous person with the complaint that drawing the symbol of a political party at a place of worship is against model code of conduct. Hence, flying squad officials rushed to the temple and erased the lotus 'Kolams' alone with white paints.
Srivilliputhur Aandal temple Jeeyar, Sadagopa Ramanujar, however condemned the EC officials' action as atrocious, stating that it was their routine to draw various 'Kolams' including 'Lotus', which is the symbol of Goddess Lakshmi. The temple executive officer, A Ilangovan, who too was present, when the 'Kolams' were erased, however, pacified the devotees and said that new 'Kolams' other than 'Lotus' would be drawn.
