In recent events, the sacred and prestigious Chidambaram Nataraja Temple has been dragged into the vortex of controversy due to a series of unfortunate incidents. The temple, known for its serene spiritual atmosphere, now finds itself at the heart of heated disputes.

The disagreement arises from the decision to enforce a traditional restriction of public access to the Kanakasabhai, also known as the Golden Hall, in the Chidambaram Nataraja Temple for four days in the aftermath of the annual Aani Thirumanjanam festival. This restriction, practiced for many years, is an integral part of the temple's heritage and a crucial element of the rituals conducted during this particular festival.

However, in a brazen and unsettling display of authority, officials from the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR & CE) Department along with police forces stormed into the sanctity of the Kanakasabai during the ongoing Aani Thirumanjanam festival. This unexpected and intrusive act has triggered a wave of anger, condemnation, and protest from both the temple authorities and devout worshippers who hold the temple's sanctity in the highest regard.

In response to this, the Vijayanagara Ujjivana Charitable Trust, helmed by the descendants of the Vijayanagara empire, expressed their deep condemnation for the distressing events that unfolded at the temple, and the inexplicable tirade directed towards the Deekshitars.

In a press release issued by the Trust, they detailed the gravity of the situation, stating, "The recent controversy in the Chidambaram Sri Nataraja Temple has hurt the sentiments of Hindu devotees across the country. It is seen that the officials of the TN Government, like the HR&CE department and Police, are behaving in an atrociously high-handed manner with the Thillai Dikshitars who are the hereditary owners of the temple."

The press release went on to accuse the Tamil Nadu Government of launching baseless allegations against the ancient community of Deekshitars, thereby hindering their right to administer their temple. It stated, "We see that baseless allegations are being hurled against this ancient community of worshippers and their right to administer their temple is being hindered at every step."

The press statement added further, "Already the community was tarnished by the government through various baseless allegations, their minor girls were subjected to an inhuman `two-finger' test among other such targeted steps taken by the officials of the state."

Disputing the claims made by certain sections of society that temples such as Chidambaram Nataraja Temple, which were built by kings, should be state-owned, the Trust clarified that the rulers did not own, control or administer the temple. They drew attention to historical facts and stated, "Several inscriptions with donations end with phrases like Srivaishnava Raksha, Maaheshvara Raksha etc., to specifically emphasize the fact that the temples belonged to a specific denomination and that the denomination shall administer & protect the particular temple."

The Trust further emphasized that once donated, the property does not remain public property. It becomes the possession of the specific denomination. "Once a land or property has been allocated by the government as a private property, neither the government nor the general public can claim the property as theirs," the Trust asserted.

Highlighting the lineage and heritage, the press release noted, "The current temple was restored, renovated and expanded by the Vijayanagar emperors and their Nayaka subordinates after the reconquest of Tamil lands by the empire under Kumara Kampana. Emperor Krishnadevaraya built the grand gopurams of this temple. Our ancestors certainly did not consider themselves as the owners of the temple nor did they see the temple as the property of the state. The temple belongs to the Dikshitars and should remain so forever till the sun and moon remain — as they should be."

The Vijayanagara Ujjivana Charitable Trust also lamented the lamentable state of several ancient temples of Tamil Nadu. "We see that several centuries-old temples built and endowed by Cholas, Pandyas, Vijayanagar, Nayalcas and other rulers — which are under the administrative control of the HR&CE department — remain without proper maintenance and in many cases, without even proper pujas."

The Trust took a stern stand against the government's intrusion, stating, "We implore the government of Tamil Nadu to give up this politics of hatred against the Dikshitars and instead take firm steps towards maintenance and improvement of the ancient temples of the state which display the real rich culture and traditions of the Tamil land."

The situation calls for urgent action to restore the dignity of the Deekshitars, and the TN government should prioritize preserving and maintaining the historical and cultural heritage rather than engage in controversies that shake the very fabric of our faith.

A conspiracy that strikes at the very heart of the Hindu community in Tamil Nadu

The renowned Chidambaram Sri Nataraja Temple finds itself continually besieged by the aggressive onslaught of the Tamil Nadu government officials. While it may be tempting to dismiss these incidents as 'yet another anti-Hindu, anti-Brahmin' act in keeping with the ideology of the Dravidian party, a deeper inspection reveals a more sinister plot – a conspiracy that strikes at the very heart of the Hindu community in Tamil Nadu.

The Dravidian parties, known for their long-standing objective to disintegrate the Hindu community under the guise of 'social justice', have been conspicuously silent on matters concerning other faiths. It is no surprise then, that such events keep recurring under their rule, belying their claims of promoting social justice.

The repeated targeting of Chidambaram Sri Nataraja Temple, an abode of Mahadeva, isn't an isolated occurrence. Numerous other temples, not under the control of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR & CE), have also come under attack. It raises serious questions about the motivations behind such actions.

Now, for the uninitiated, the HR & CE Department of the Tamil Nadu Government is responsible for the management and control of temple administrations within the state. It was originally established by the British to seize control of temple wealth. While it has undergone various amendments over the years, one glaring question remains unanswered: Why are only Hindu and Jain temples under government control? Why does the government exercise its power as if it owns the temples, surpassing its prescribed powers?

To further understand the implications of this crisis, one must become familiar with the Chidambaram Deekshitars. These Vaideeka Brahmins, a denominational community, have been the hereditary trustees of the Chidambaram Nataraja Temple for over a thousand years, managing and running its administration.

The Tamil Nadu government, in a bid to obliterate this micro-community as part of a larger plan against Hindus, has launched a series of serious allegations and shocking actions against them. The Deekshitar community was accused of conducting child marriages, and when refuted, the government resorted to disgraceful actions - including exposing the identities of minors in public and conducting a repugnant "two-finger test" on underage girls in the name of investigation.

These relentless assaults have left the Deekshitars demoralized, fearful, and losing faith in the justice system, the government, and the Hindu community at large. Their numbers have dwindled from 3000 to a mere 700 in Chidambaram, with many fleeing in search of a place where their dignity is respected.

With this context in mind, the motivations for these attacks become clearer:

1. Despite not having any hundi, or charging for darshan or Annadhana (free meals for everyone), the Chidambaram temple manages to conduct all pujas and rituals without government aid. This leads the government to suspect the presence of "hidden" wealth that they wish to seize. Such greed is reminiscent of foreign invaders, to whose ideology the Dravidian parties seem beholden.

2. The Chidambaram temple is one among the five sacred Panchabhoota Shiva temples. By wresting control of the administration, altering the rites and practices, the government aims to deter Hindu devotees. Over time, as devotees wane, the spiritual continuum breaks, paving the way for the falsification of our epic history. This, in turn, allows the usurping of "unused lands" of the temple, and eventual closure, driving out either the devotees or their faith.

3. The Dravidian parties bear a vehement hatred for Brahmins, who carry the true wealth of sacred knowledge in hymns, Vedic rituals, and customs. Driving out and disintegrating this community ensures that the temple becomes another "wasteland" they can hold siege on.

This systematic dismantling of a community's religious rights and freedoms raises grave concerns about the future of the Hindu community in Tamil Nadu. The Tamil Nadu government needs to be held accountable for its actions, and the systematic oppression of the Deekshitar community must cease. The fight is not just for a temple, it is a fight for faith, dignity, and the preservation of a thousand-year-old heritage.

Deekshitars of Chidambaram

The Deekshitars, also known as Thillai Vaazh Andhanar - the Brahmins residing in Thillai or Chidambaram, represent a distinct sect of Vaideeka Brahmins primarily based in Chidambaram. With a rich heritage intertwined with the Thillai Natarajar Temple in Chidambaram, they are its traditional custodians, overseeing its administration and conducting religious ceremonies.

Legend has it that the Deekshitars, originally numbering 3000, were transported from Kailasam or Kailash to earth by Sage Patanjali. Their sacred purpose? To carry out the daily rituals at the Chidambaram temple. It is believed that Patanjali, an incarnation of Adisesha, descended to earth specifically to behold Lord Siva's cosmic dance at Thillai. During the Chola era, the Deekshitars held significant influence as the ritual arbiters of imperial legitimacy.

As captured in Sundarar's Thiru Thonda Thogai, these Brahmins of Thillai are revered, their servitors held in high regard. Unlike Sivacharyars who abide by Agama Sastra for temple rituals, the Deekshitars adhere to Vedic customs, said to have been compiled from the Vedas by Patanjali himself, who initiated the Deekshitars into Lord Siva's worship.

The privilege to serve as the chief priest for the day and perform the temple rituals rotates among the married male members of the Deekshitar families, with each married Deekshitar entitled to a share of the temple's revenue.

Among the unique customs associated with this community is the tradition of wearing their tuft of hair at the front of the head, known as 'munkudumi' in Tamil, 'poorvashikha' in Sanskrit or simply a forelock in English. Typically styled to the left, symbolizing the feminine side, this practice could be a nod to the inherent feminine aspect within everyone, or possibly a reference to Siva's form as Ardhanareeswarar.

In a delightful parallel, the depiction of Murugan at Vaitheeswaran Koil mirrors the hairstyle of the Deekshitars of Chidambaram - with his tuft of hair also arranged to the left. This unique portrayal further connects the Deekshitars' distinctive custom with the iconography of the divine.