The anti-Hindu DMK government has been meddling in Hindu traditions and temple affairs since it assumed power in May 2021. The latest on the list is rushing up the consecration ceremony of Palani Bala Thandayuthapani Swamy temple and violating Agama rules to suit their convenience. Pujaris of the temple and learned pandits have warned the government of dire consequences as Agama rules have been violated and the date chosen for consecration is not auspicious.

The Bala Thandayuthapani Swamy temple in Palani, Tamil Nadu is one of Skanda’s six abodes(Arupadai Veedu). The presiding deity’s murti is special as it is believed to have been created and installed by Bhogar, a Shaivite yogi. He made the murti using nine different metals and herbal elements called Navabhashanam. They are believed to be poisonous if consumed alone but a great medicine if consumed as a compound. It caused speculations and conspiracy theories about the attempts to scrape off bit by bit or smuggle the murti altogether.

Now, the DMK government has planned to conduct the consecration ceremony on January 27 violating Agama rules which has caused such speculations to run wild. A compound of 8 elements called Ashtabandhanam is used to attach murtis to the peetam(altar), so they don’t fall off. The ingredients, making, applying and everything involving even the minute details are mentioned in the Agamas. Shaivites believe that Bhagwan Shiva himself wrote the Agamas. There are multiple literary resources in Tamil stating the same. Agamas say that the ashtabandhanam should be replaced every 12 years and Maha Kumbabishekam should be conducted in temples built following Agama rules.

Yet the DMK government has rushed to conduct the consecration without applying freshly made ashtabandhanam despite pujaris’ warning. Following this, an audio of the chief of the Archaka Sthanika Association, Kumbeshwara Gurukkal went viral on social media. He warned the pujaris not to agree to HRCE’s demands and sign any document. “They ask us to do Kumbabishekam without strengthening the murti. But I refused. If anyone demands you to sign papers on behalf of the temple administration, do not do it”.

He further said that officials are forcing him to perform the consecration rituals without applying ashtabandhana which violates Agama rules. He warned that doing so would result in dire consequences and bring ill to the public, rulers and the country. He cited past incidents when Agama rules were broken and bad things happened. He also warned against stopping rituals like how abhishekam was stopped citing they erode the murti. It is believed that not applying freshly made ashtabandhana before the consecration would result in destabilisation of the murti and in turn, cause misfortune to the country.

In the past, there were allegations that parts of the murti were scraped off as Navapashanam is a highly valued and rare substance. Authorities claimed that the murti eroded due to abhishekam and stopped some rituals. Earlier, remainings of abhisheka were given to devotees as prasad, as anything that touches the Navabhashana murti is considered to have immense healing powers. But HRCE officials decided to quit the abhishekas, citing the wearing away of the murti. A proposal was made to install a new murti made of panchalohas and Padma Shri awardee Muthaiah sthapathi was given the responsibility.

But devotees objected to the new murti being placed alongside the original as having two murtis in a garbagriha is against agama rules. The panchaloha murti was planned to weigh 200kg but weighed 221kg when finished. HRCE officials disregarded this ‘small inconvenience’ and installed the murti anyway. Soon after, it started turning black and it was found that it didn’t have the requisite amount of panchalohas, especially gold. An IIT Madras study confirmed that the metals were not used in the prescribed quantity. Muthaiah sthapathi was arrested and an investigation was launched to find who recommended the replacement as he had no experience in casting panchaloha murtis.

Idol Wing police which took over the case suspected that the replacement could have been a decoy to smuggle the Navabhashana murti. With this background information, the suspicions about the current circumstances cannot be ignored. As if disrespecting the traditions is not enough, the DMK government has also limited the number of people who can attend the consecration ceremony. HRCE has announced that only 6000 people will be allowed and 4000 will be politicians, VIPs and donors. Only 2000 individuals from the public will be allowed and they have been selected through a lucky draw.

Usually, the public takes part in consecration ceremonies of prominent temples in huge numbers as it is once in a lifetime opportunity. But even that right is snatched from Hindus under DMK. Pujaris have pointed out another anomaly that on the date of consecration TN CM MK Stalin has Chandrashtamam. Such days are usually avoided as a person would face many obstacles and misfortune. But HRCE has brushed away the concern and pujaris fear thar it would result in misfortune for both the CM and the state.

Whether as a bad omen or a warning from the deities, a vehicle carrying bricks for the renovation work lost control and rammed a few devotees on December 24. Fortunately there were only injuries and no deaths. Devotees worry that such accidents are a result of violating Agamas. The injured were taken to private hospitals reportedly to hide the accident. They were also pressurised to not file a police complaint.

Meanwhile HRCE minister Sekar Babu who should be ardent Hindu considering his post said that Agamas were not written by god and are only manmade, implying that it is okay to bend the rules as per one’s fancies.