Legendary composer Ilaiyaraaja denied entry to sacred chamber of TN's Andal Temple; sparks row
Chennai: Legendary composer Ilaiyaraaja's visit to the Andal Temple in Srivilliputhur, Tamil Nadu, has stirred a debate after his request to enter the temple's sanctum sanctorum was declined by priests and authorities.
Citing longstanding traditions, temple officials clarified that no devotees, regardless of status, are allowed beyond a specific point in the temple premises.
While social media buzzed with allegations that the denial was linked to Ilaiyaraaja's Dalit identity, temple authorities refuted this claim, stating the restriction applies uniformly to all visitors.
A senior government official confirmed that Ilaiyaraaja was informed of the rules at the Arthamandapam area and complied without objection. During his visit, the maestro was given a traditional welcome by temple seers, Sri Satakopa Ramanuja Jeeyar and Sri Tridandi Srimannarayana Ramanuja Chinna Jeeyar Swami, ahead of the release of his musical composition, Divya Pasuram. He was also honored with Andal's sacred garlands and silk garments.
The Andal Temple, one of the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Lord Vishnu and revered for its spiritual significance, upholds strict traditions that limit access to its inner sanctum for all devotees
SHOCKING: Ilaiyaraaja denied entry✖️ to Sanctum Sanctorum and asked to get out by the priests at Srivilliputhur Andal Temple🛕 pic.twitter.com/Aii7GQPg6k
— Manobala Vijayabalan (@ManobalaV) December 16, 2024
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In solidarity with Palestinians, Priyanka carries bag emblazoned with 'Palestine' to Parliament
New Delhi, Dec 16: In a show of support for the people of Palestine, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Monday carried a bag to Parliament that had "Palestine" emblazoned on it.
The Congress general secretary has been raising her voice against Israel's actions in Gaza and expressing solidarity with Palestinians.
Gandhi was seen carrying a handbag emblazoned with the word "Palestine" and Palestinian emblems, including a watermelon -- seen as a symbol of Palestinian solidarity.
Abed Elrazeg Abu Jazer, Charge d'affaires of the Palestine Embassy in New Delhi, had last week called on Gandhi to congratulate the Congress leader on her recent election victory from Kerala's Wayanad.
In June, Gandhi slammed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over what she had said were the Israel government's "genocidal actions" in Gaza, as she accused him and his government of "barbarism".
The Congress general secretary's remarks had come after Netanyahu defended Israel's ongoing war in Gaza in a speech to the US Congress.
Gandhi had said it was no longer enough to speak up for the civilians, mothers, fathers, doctors, nurses, aid workers, journalists, teachers, writers, poets, senior citizens and the thousands of innocent children who were being wiped out day after day by the "horrific genocide" taking place in Gaza.
"It is the moral responsibility of every right-thinking individual, including all those Israeli citizens who do not believe in hatred and violence, and every government in the world to condemn the Israeli government's genocidal actions and force them to stop," she had said in a post on X.
Their actions are unacceptable in a world that professes civility and morality, Gandhi had said.
