Hindu Munnani has submitted a complaint to the Pudukottai Superintendent of Police, urging protection of Lingamalai near Malampatti village in the Viralimalai area. The organisation said the hill hosts a Shiva temple believed to be around 1,000 years old.
In its petition, the group stated that the temple was built by King Azhagiya Manavala Devan and that government records indicate the presence of Chola-era inscriptions, sculptures, a Nandi idol, an old mandapam and surrounding hill structures. It added that devotees have traditionally conducted worship, including full-moon girivalam, for generations.
The complaint alleged repeated attempts to damage the site’s antiquity and inscriptions. It further claimed that a cross was placed at the hilltop and that, during a peace meeting led by the Kulathur tahsildar, the cross was described as illegal and potentially capable of triggering religious conflict.
According to the petition, the meeting resolved that no maintenance should be carried out on the cross, that it should be removed, and that neither side should undertake any activity at the location without revenue and police permission. The group said police intervened when the cross was reportedly maintained and the pathway cleaned, and sought action against those it accused of provoking tensions and attempting to rename Lingamalai as “Saveriyar Malai.”
