Tamil Nadu: HR&CE Officials Inspect Temple Hall Converted To Islamic Place Of Worship

A team of officials from the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department of the Tamil Nadu government inspected a temple hall of the Malaimandala Perumal temple, in Chaturangapatnam, that has been converted to a place of Islamic worship by local Muslims.

This Perumal (Vishnu) temple, in Chengalpattu district, is believed to have been constructed during the days of the Vijayanagar Empire. The area near the temple hall was the venue for Uriyadi held on Janmashtami.

Uriyadi is similar to Dahi Handi wherein devotees try to break a pot filled with eatables like butter, seedai and murukku.

The employees of the temple, which is under the control of the HR&CE department, were not aware of the existence of the structures. Uriyadi has not been conducted at the temple for over 50 years now.

Seeing that Muslims had suddenly started visiting this neglected place regularly in the last few years, some local Hindu residents cleared the bushes and found that it was actually a part of the temple complex.

The HR&CE department investigation happened after these residents brought the matter to the notice of the department.

Sridharan, a former director of the state archaeology department, who was part of the team, confirmed that it was a part of the temple and said that he would soon submit a report to the Tehsildar asking him to retake control of the area and restore its Hindu religious character.