Yesterday, Chief Minister Vijay spent an hour visiting the Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai and expressed his faith in Hindu religious worship.
Visiting Madurai for the first time since assuming office, the Chief Minister Vijay arrived at the Meenakshi Amman Temple at 4:15 PM yesterday, following his participation in the inauguration ceremonies for the ‘Thaimaman Thanga Mothiram’ project and the renovated Gandhi Museum.
He alighted at the Amman Sannidhi entrance on Chithirai Road, acknowledged the people standing on both sides, and walked while waving to them. Subsequently, the *Shivacharyas* (temple priests) offered the *Puranakumbha* (ceremonial pot) at the *Ashta Shakti Mandapam*. Minister Ramesh and Trustee Chairperson Rukmani welcomed him, along with other trustees and officials. The Chief Minister Vijay paid his respects by touching Rukmani’s feet.
After feeding fruit to Parvathi the elephant, the Chief Minister Vijay proceeded to the Amman Sannidhi, where he sat before the *Artha Mandapam* and offered prayers. Following the *Deepa Aradhana* (lamp offering), he applied the *Kumkum* (vermilion) offered by the priest to his forehead.
Adhering to the Chief Minister’s prior instruction that “devotees should face no inconvenience during my visit,” devotees were allowed to remain in the queue simultaneously. He then went to offer prayers at the Mukkuruni Vinayagar Sannidhi and the Swami Sannidhi. After viewing the *Thanga Kodimaram* (golden flagstaff), he arrived in front of the *Homa* Superintendent’s office.
He sat on the floor and accepted the coconut and fruits offered by the temple authorities. Minister Ramesh presented him with a statue of Goddess Meenakshi, while the trustees gifted him a portrait of the Goddess and silk garments. He concluded his visit and departed at 5:15 PM. On his way out, a volunteer presented him with a gift. He left for Chennai at 6:00 PM.
Principal’s Signature
People of other faiths are not permitted to enter the inner sanctum of the Meenakshi Amman Temple; entry into the *sannidhi* (sanctum sanctorum) of the deities—Amman and Swami—is prohibited for them. To seek *Darshan* (viewing the deity), one must sign an affidavit. Chief Minister Joseph Vijay, a Christian, visited the temple yesterday to attend the *Kumbhabhishekam* (consecration ceremony) scheduled for September 17. Two hours prior to his arrival, affidavits signed by him and his private security guard, Naeem Musa—declaring their “faith in Hindu worship”—were submitted to the temple administration.
Chief Minister Vijay Pays Respects to Rukmini
The Meenakshi Temple *Kumbhabhishekam* took place on September 17. A controversy arose because the names of the trustees were omitted from the invitation letters issued under the leadership of the Board of Trustees Chairperson, Rukmini. When questioned about this, Minister Nirmal Kumar remarked, “The temple belongs to everyone; it does not belong to any single person.” Consequently, the trustees filed a case in the Madurai Bench of the High Court. The Court ordered that the trustees’ names be included on the *Kumbhabhishekam* commemorative plaque, given that invitations had been issued.
Subsequently, former DMK Minister Thiagarajan—Rukmini’s son—alleged that his mother was being intimidated and pressured to resign as a trustee. Rukmini also alleged that arrangements for the *Kumbhabhishekam* were being made without consulting her. Commenting on the matter, Minister Nirmal Kumar stated, “The trustees will identify the shortcomings and find a solution.”
Meanwhile, Rukmini attended the *Kumbhabhishekam* on September 17. While Minister Nirmal Kumar inquired about her health, Chief Minister Vijay visited the Meenakshi Amman Temple yesterday. Rukmini was welcomed in her capacity as the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees. Then, their morning leader offered a respectful salutation with folded hands.
In this regard, Winner stated, “The government is firmly resolved that there should be no controversy surrounding the Multanwar program.”
On this basis, the trustees extended a welcome. They remarked that since the Chief Minister Vijay had clarified that resigning from the post was a matter of his own volition, there was no room for dispute.
