Stories
1000-year-old Murugan idol recovered in Karur after replacement
- •Sensation arose in Karur after the ancient Bala Dhandayuthapani idol at the Thogaimalai temple was illegally replaced with a new one.
- •Devotees alleged that the 1,000-year-old idol established by Pandya kings along with valuable gold jewelry and gemstones was missing.
- •Following a complaint by a local resident and subsequent inspection, HR and CE officials recovered the original idol from a spring on the hill.
- •Pursuant to a High Court order, the ancient Murugan idol was successfully reinstalled in the sanctum sanctorum following special poojas.
Key Questions Answered
A priest replaced the 1,000-year-old ancient Bala Dhandayuthapani sanctum idol at the Meenakshi Sundareswarar and Bala Dhandayuthapani temple in Thogaimalai, Karur district, with a new idol contrary to Agama rules, triggering a major controversy and investigation after allegations of smuggling.
Based on information provided by temple priest Krishnamurthy, HR&CE officials recovered the ancient Bala Dhandayuthapani idol and its pedestal from underwater in a spring on the hill, subsequently keeping it safe in the Yagasala.
Pursuant to the Madurai High Court's order directing the removal of the fake idol and the reinstallation of the ancient one, HR&CE officials placed the original idol within the temple premises where special poojas and Yagasalas were performed before it was reinstalled in the sanctum sanctorum.
