After a gap of 42 years, a temple chariot passed through a Dalit settlement in Puthagaram village near Walajabad in Tamil Nadu’s Kanchipuram district on Sunday during a trial run conducted under the district administration’s direction.
Chennai: After a gap of 42 years, a temple chariot passed through a Dalit settlement in Tamil Nadu’s Kanchipuram district. This historic event occurred during a trial run conducted under the district administration’s direction in Puthagaram village, located near Walajabad. The Rath Yatra was carried out to the Arulmigu Sri Muthu Kolakki Amman Temple in Puthagaram village. Residents of the colony had long demanded that the temple chariot be taken through their settlement, while a section of residents had been protesting. This time, when the Rath Yatra passed through the Dalit settlement, there were protests, but due to the strictness of the police and administration, the Rath Yatra was completed peacefully.
The Madras High Court heard a petition filed by Pasarai Selvaraj regarding this dispute. The Madras High Court ordered that the temple chariot should pass through the Dalit settlement. Despite this court order, the Rath Yatra could not be held for a long time.
The Yatra was halted even after the Madras High Court’s order.
Members of the Dalit community of Puthagaram village had demanded that the chariot of the ‘Arulmigu Sri Muthu Kolakki Amman Temple’ pass through their settlement. However, some people reportedly opposed this demand, leading to a dispute over the chariot’s route. Responding to a petition filed by Pasarai Selvaraj, the Madras High Court ordered that the temple chariot should pass through the Dalit settlement. Despite this court order, the Rath Yatra could not be held for a long time.
The procession was carried out with a heavy police presence.
As per the district administration’s instructions, the chariot’s trial run began on Sunday. Minister for Non-Resident Tamil Welfare Thennarasu and Forest Minister Ranjith Kumar initiated the trial run by pulling the chariot’s rope. Tight security arrangements were put in place throughout the village, led by District Superintendent of Police (SP) Arvindhan. Over 200 police personnel, including four DSPs, two ASPs, and 10 inspectors, were deployed. Amid police protection, the chariot passed through various parts of the village and reached the temple.
As the chariot entered the Dalit settlement after 42 years, residents offered prayers, performed Deeparadhana (worship of lamps), and celebrated by pulling the chariot’s rope amid the beats of Chenda Melam (traditional musical instrument) and drums.
Curated by: Shashi Mishra
About the Author
Shashi Pandey Mishra is the Principal Digital Content Producer at Navbharat Times Online. She covers news in Maharashtra, Jammu and Kashmir, Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Kerala, and Goa, as well as the Northeast. She has over 18 years of experience in print, electronic, and digital journalism, serving in various roles as a reporter and on the desk. Shashi Pandey Mishra joined Navbharat Times Online in September 2017.
Courtesy: Hindi News