Chidambaram: Tensions ran high at the revered Chidambaram Nataraja temple in Tamil Nadu as Deekshitars, the traditional priests and caretakers, opposed the installation of a new flagpole by officials from the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR& CE) Department. The Deekshitars clarified they weren’t against replacing the existing flagpole at the Govindaraja Perumal temple but objected to adding new rings.
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சிதம்பரம் நடராஜர் கோயிலினுள் இருக்கும் “தில்லை கோவிந்தராஜ பெருமாள்” கோயிலுக்கு உட்பட்ட கொடிக்கம்பத்தில் கொடியேற்ற அறநிலையத்துறையை அனுமதிக்காமல் பொறுக்கித்தனம் செய்யும் பொறுக்கி தீட்சிதர்கள்.. நடராஜர் கோயிலினுள் இருக்கும் அந்த பெருமாள் கோயில் அறநிலையத்துறைக்கு… pic.twitter.com/7ZKyZud8ba
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This latest development adds to the temple’s ongoing controversies. In February 2022, a dispute erupted when a Deekshitar took a woman to the Kanakasabha stage, defying a two-year ban on climbing the stage. Other Deekshitars intervened, leading to allegations of caste-based insults and a case being registered under the Prevention of Atrocities Act against 20 Deekshitars.
Flagpole Row: Deekshitars Oppose Changes at Chidambaram Nataraja Temple
The Tamil Nadu government intervened, announcing devotees could climb the Kanaka Sabha and have darshan, and issuing a government order. The Department of Charities conducted an inspection, citing complaints about the temple’s administration. However, the Dikshidars refused to provide documents and details of the temple accounts, sparking conflict with authorities.
Furthermore, allegations surfaced that the Chidambaram Dikshidars arranged four child marriages, including one involving the secretary’s 13-year-old daughter. Hemasabesa Dikshidar, the secretary, was accused of arranging the child marriage to a 15-year-old boy. Rajaratna Dikshidar, the groom, and Venkateswara Dikshidar, the groom’s father, were arrested.
The Supreme Court has declared the Chidambaram Nataraja Temple a public temple, granting the Endowments Department the right to conduct inspections under Sections 23 and 28 of the Hindu Religious Endowments Department Act, 1959. Despite this, the Dikshidars’ refusal to cooperate has exacerbated tensions.
