A controversy has erupted over the use of the Nandi vahanam, the processional vehicle of the deity, to clean a tower at the Arunachaleswarar Temple in Tiruvannamalai. Hindu Tamilar Katchi president Rama Ravikumar has strongly condemned the move.
In a statement, he said Fire and Rescue Services personnel were engaged in cleaning the temple tower ahead of the Karthigai Deepam festival. Instead of using a fire engine or ladders, they reportedly used the Nandi vahanam of Lord Shiva, which is tied to the spiritual sentiments and worship traditions of millions of devotees. He described this as shocking.
Ravikumar said there is no disagreement that cleaning the tower is necessary work. However, he questioned whether devotees’ faith should be sacrificed for the negligence and administrative convenience of government departments.
He demanded that the temple administration publicly apologise to devotees, and that a thorough inquiry be held with departmental action against those responsible.
He also urged the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department to assure that temple vehicles will not be used in ways that contradict spiritual practices in future, and that the sanctity of temples will be protected.
