Chennai: Following protests by pontiffs and opposition parties, the DMK government withdrew the ban on pattina pravesam, a centuries-old ritual held by the Dharmapuram Adheenam in Mayiladuthurai in which the mutt head is carried by people in a palanquin.
Mayiladuthurai revenue divisional officer J Balaji said in his order that the ban has been revoked based on the representation submitted by the manager of the Adheenam with required documents on May 7.
Sri La Sri Masilamani Desiga Gnanasambandha Paramacharya Swamigal, the seer of Dharmapuram Adheenam, said on the sidelines of a kumbhabishekam ritual at Uthavedeeswarar temple that chief minister M K Stalin has permitted them to go ahead with the ritual scheduled for 22 May.
HR & CE minister P K Sekar Babu said the CM has not bowed to any pressu re and made the decision so as not to offend anyone during the one-year celebrations of the government.
Earlier, many Hindu organisations condemned the ban on Pattina Pravesam.
Vaishnavaite Guru Mannargudi Sri Sendalangara Jeeyar had strongly come out against the ban by the DMK government. In a statement, he said: I warn this Dharmadrohi and Desadrohi government of Tamilnadu for their anti- Hindu works. If they interfere with the works of Hindu beliefs and temples there will be strong repercussions from the Hindus.
Opposition Leader Edappadi K Palaniswami too raised the issue of Mayiladuthurai district administration denying permission for Dharmapuram Adheenam’s ‘Pattina Pravesham’ event where the Pontiff is carried in a palanquin by people.
EPS said ‘Pattina Pravesham’ event is a tradition and hence it should be allowed since it’s a spritual event.
This tradition was not even banned by the British. I studied and grew up there. It should not be stopped, you should not get involved in tradition. Until now, it has not stopped. Why is the palanquin tradition being banned now? stated Gnanasambandha Desigar, seer of Madurai Adheenam.