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CHENNAI, INDIA, February 26, 2004: Chennaiwasis (Chennai residents), according to this article, are exhibiting their religious fervor throughout the city when a decade ago religious observances were confined to the home plus women visiting temples on Fridays and Tuesdays. The article says, “The official figures may say that there are some 5,000 large and medium-sized temples across Tamil Nadu, but no one’s keeping count of the tiny temples that are perched on the junction of many lanes across the state. Temples that were not seen yesterday are now fluttering circulars on the forthcoming kumbhabhishekam festivities, a status-bestowing ceremony for a temple. At this time of year over 81 sadhas host more than 5,000 classical dance and musical performances.” In the political arena, Chief Minister J. Jayalalitha is known for reviving the temple at Thanjavur and offering special prayers in another temple near Madurai. Another major revelation, “A visit to any one of Chennai’s temples from Mylapore Kapaleeswar temple to the Triplicane Sri Parthasarathy temple to the Mundakaniamman or Mupathamman temples will reveal how the caste doors have crumbled to allow in devotees from every strata of society.” The city also boasts over 25 Hindu religious magazines. Religious fervor has placed the days of Marxists wearing black in protest and street graffiti exclaiming “No God” in Chennai.

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