HC directive to HR&CE on Tamil hymns during temple ceremony

Madurai: Madras high court has sought a status report from the Hindu religious and charitable endowments (HR and CE) department on the steps taken to ensure that Tamil hymns are chanted along with Sanskrit hymns during the consecration ceremony of Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple in Madurai to be held in September.Taking into account the nature of the case, justice D Bharatha Chakravarthy also incorporated the Tamil translation of the order below the English version in the order copy.The court was hearing the petition filed by Tamil Rajendiran alias R Rajendiran, seeking a direction to the authorities to take effective steps to implement the use of Tamil spiritual mantras and Tamil hymns along with Sanskrit in Yaga Salai, Karuvarai and Gopura Vimaanam during the consecration ceremony.The state submitted that the date is yet to be finalised and that they will place on record the steps taken with reference to the conduct of the poojas and rituals in Tamil.Justice Bharatha Chakravarthy observed that the legend goes that the ‘Pottramaraikulam', situated within the precincts of the Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple, was the ‘Sanga Palagai', that is the ‘Seat of the Tamil Sangam', for staging the epics and poems in Tamil. In view of the same, let the steps taken by the authorities for the use of Tamil hymns be placed before the court by way of a status report, the judge directed. The matter was posted to June 2 for filing a status report.