A controversy has erupted at Madurai’s Meenakshi Amman Temple after devotees alleged that composer Ilaiyaraaja was taken into the sanctum before the customary first bell for the day’s first darshan.
According to the long-followed practice, the temple opens at 4.30 am, with devotees waiting near the Siddhi Vinayagar shrine. Only after the bell rings at 5.00 am are devotees allowed to proceed to the sanctum for darshan, followed by the Thiruvanandal pooja.
On Monday morning, Ilaiyaraaja visited the temple along with others, including BJP cultural wing state secretary Sasikumar. A woman sub-inspector on security duty reportedly escorted the group inside.
Devotees said Ilaiyaraaja was taken to the sanctum before the bell and waited there for about five minutes until it rang. After the bell, he had darshan of the देवी and the deity and then left.
Following the incident, devotees raised a complaint at the temple’s internal surveillance superintendent’s office, questioning whether rules were relaxed for the visitor.
