NE NEWS SERVICE
COIMBATORE, MAR 27
#FreeTNTemples, a campaign launched by Sadhguru has gained momentum across the state. Thousands of people supporting the cause converged before 11 famous temples in different districts and raised their voice to release temples from the clutches of the government on Friday.
Meenakshi Amman- a Temple that finds mention in Sangam literature dating back 2000 years; a Temple of 33,000 sculptures that Overwhelms us with the Outpouring of Devotion. #FreeTNTemples. Tamil people must revive & re-live such Passion.–Sg @CMOTamilNadu @mkstalin @Actor_Vivek pic.twitter.com/EXLNAQJH1b
— Sadhguru (@SadhguruJV) March 27, 2021
Ranganathaswamy- 12,000 Tamil people sacrificed their lives to defend this 11th century Temple from invasions. Violated in the worst possible manner- idol theft in collusion with HR&CE official. Shame. #FreeTNTemples. –Sg@TempleSrirangam@CMOTamilNadu @KN_NEHRU @Anbil_Mahesh pic.twitter.com/71Jzh8rVFZ
— Sadhguru (@SadhguruJV) March 27, 2021
Keeping up the daily ritual in the temple is the bare minimum responsibility of the administrators. Failing to do so in 11,999 temples makes a definitive case for govt to relinquish their regime and hand it over to devotees – Sg#FreeTNTemples@CMOTamilNadu @mkstalin @KVishReddy https://t.co/LItVQrnfft
— Sadhguru (@SadhguruJV) March 27, 2021
The temples include Saidapet Kaaraneeshwarar Temple in Chennai; Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai; Srirangam Ranganatha Swami Temple in Tiruchi; Varadharaja Perumal Temple in Kancheepuram; Kothandaramar Temple in Salem; Vedhapureeswarar Temple in Puducherry; Sree Thanumalayan Temple in Nagercoil, Sangameshwarar Temple in Erode, Brigadeeshwara Temple in Thanjavur. Maruthamalai temple in Kovai and Tirunelveli Nellaippar temple.
The supporters sang devotional songs, including Thevaram, Kanda Sashti Kavasam and Amman songs for an hour at the Temples.
They were joined by Isha Samskriti students as well as Isha volunteers. The supporters carried placards sporting with slogans called to end “Temple Slavery”.
Sadhguru launched the #FreeTNTemples campaign at the beginning of March 2021. He termed it a campaign born out of “deep pain” and urged the government that the “anguished cry of the community must be heard.”
Over the month, Sadhguru has released disturbing data about the general condition of temples in the state, most of which are desecrated and in ruins due to willful negligence. He also wrote open letters to the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami and Opposition Leader M K Stalin urging them to address the issue in their election manifestos.
The support for the movement is growing day-by-day on social media. Celebrities – Santhanam, Sreedivya, Kasturi, Kangana Ranaut, Raveena Tandon and Draupathi director Mohan were among the first to endorse the campaign on Twitter.
Leaders from Industry, Media and Politics have also tweeted in support of the campaign. The BJP and the Tamil Maanila Congress (TMC), which are part of the AIADMK alliance have declared in their election manifestos that they will free temples from state control if elected to power