CHIDAMBARAM, TAMIL NADU, INDIA, March 6, 2008: In a sudden U turn, conservative dikshitars have given a cordial reception to those who came to the Lord Nataraja temple in Chidambaram on Wednesday. Dikshitars, who are the temple priests, changed their attitude following a strict warning issued by the State Government for obstructing persons who wished to recite Tamil devotional hymns in the world famous shrine.
Two persons recited verses from Thevaram and Thiruvasagam for 10 minutes. Superintendent of Police Pradip Kumar had posted a strong contigent of police force in the temple town. Around 100 persons including activists of the Pattali Makkal Katchi, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, Manitha Urimai Padukappu Maiyam, Purachikara Mana var Ilaynar Munnani, Pudhiya Jananayaga Thozhilalar Munnani and Vivasaigal Viduthalai Munnani entered the shrine. (HPI note: HPI would like to receive more information about who these groups are and what they represent. Those with informations please e-mail ar@hindu.org)
The police allowed nearly 30 persons into the Chitsaba. Meanwhile, the dikshitars completed “kalapuja” at 11am. Five persons — Murugan, Shamnugam, Ezhuamalai, Ravi and Rajendran climbed the top of a stage in the Chitsaba, the area immediately close to the sanctum. Murugan and Shanmugam recited devotional verses for 10 minutes. The sanctum sanctorum remained open. Soon after reciting the verses, the dikshitars applauded and showed the sacred light “deeparathani” to them. After reciting the hymns, Tamil poet Arumugaswamy left the temple without waiting to accept the respects offered by the dikshitars, who presented the others with shawls and garlands. They patted the journalists and requested them to cooperate with them in future. They gave away sacred ashes, shawls and garlands to the journalists on the occasion. Murugan, who recited the verses said, “We are happy to recite the Tamil devotional hymns in the temple. However, this should be done without the presence of police.”
SP Pradip Kumar said, “The police remained in the temple as uneasy tension prevailed between dikshitars and Tamil activists. Once cordial relations amongst them is developed, they (the police) will no longer be present.”
Following directions from the State Government, the dikshitars and Tamil activists, including Arumuga Odhuvar, who were incarcerated in prisons on Monday, were released on Wednesday. Dikshitars have expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister M Karunanidhi for dropping the case against them. However, they said that a further course of action would be decided in a general body meeting of dikshitar maha saba in Chidambaram.