Hyderabad: A controversy erupted on Monday after reports surfaced that music legend Ilaiyaraaja was allegedly denied entry to the arthamandapam (inner hall) of the revered Srivilliputhur Andal Temple in Tamil Nadu. However, the maestro has taken to social media to categorically deny the incident.
On X (formerly Twitter), Ilaiyaraaja posted in Tamil, "Certain individuals are spreading baseless rumours about me. I am a person who values self-respect above all, and I will not compromise on it. They are spreading false news as if it were true. I request my fans and the public not to believe these rumours."
என்னை மையமாக வைத்து சிலர் பொய்யான வதந்திகளைப் பரப்பி வருகிறார்கள். நான் எந்த நேரத்திலும், எந்த இடத்திலும் என்னுடைய சுய மரியாதையை விட்டுக் கொடுப்பவன் அல்ல, விட்டுக்கொடுக்கவும் இல்லை. நடக்காத செய்தியை நடந்ததாகப் பரப்புகின்றார்கள். இந்த வதந்திகளை ரசிகர்களும், மக்களும் நம்ப வேண்டாம்.
— Ilaiyaraaja (@ilaiyaraaja) December 16, 2024
Ilaiyaraaja visited the Srivilliputhur Andal Temple in Virudhunagar district, Tamil Nadu, to offer his respects and release his composition, Divya Pasuram on December 15. He was accompanied by prominent religious figures, Sadagopa Ramanuja Jeeyar and Sri Sri Sri Satagopa Ramanuja Jeeyar, who were given a grand welcome. However, an incident at the temple's Artha Mandapam, which houses the Utsavar idols, led to controversy, sparking discussions about whether Ilaiyaraaja faced discrimination.
Responding to the incident, Sakkarai Ammal, the Executive Officer of Andal Temple's Hindu Religious Charitable Department, clarified that the temple's practices were longstanding and non-discriminatory. She explained that only the Jeeyars, who hold special religious status, are permitted to enter the Artha Mandapam, where the Utsavar idols are placed. This regulation, she emphasised, is a traditional practice that applies to all devotees, regardless of their stature or position.
The Andal Temple, renowned for its historical significance and its connection to the 7th-century Tamil poet-saint Aandal, is one of the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Lord Vishnu. While the incident generated media attention, temple authorities have reassured that no discrimination occurred and that the practices followed are in keeping with the temple's customs.
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