May 13, 2025: Kanchipuram
Vadakalai, Thenkalai sects face off again during Brahmotsavam of Sri Varadharaja Perumal temple
The Hindu Bureau
CHENNAI
Tempers flared between the Vadakalai and Thenkalai sects of Vaishnavites at the annual Brahmotsavam of the Sri Varadharaja Perumal temple, one of the 108 Divya De-sams, in Kancheepuram on Monday.
A source in the Vadakalai sect said devotees belonging to the Thenkalai sect chanted verses from Divya Prabandam even as representatives of the Thathachariars, who belong to the Vadakalai sect, performed Mantra Pushpam to the utsava idol of Sri Varadharaja Perumal at Gangai Kondaan Mandapam.
During the Brahmotsavam, the idol is brought in a procession to the Gangai Kon-daan Mandapam twice daily during which the Thathachariars perform Mantra Push-pam, a ritual of offering tulsi and flowers to the deity, along with chants in Sanskrit.
“It is the right of the Thathachariars to offer Mantra Pushpam while chanting verses from various texts, including the Vedas, the Puranas, and the Stotrapadam, during all pujas conducted daily. The Thenkalai-yars are trying to prevent them from doing so. They began this on day one of the Brah-motsavam. I wonder how eight more days of the festival will be conducted,” said a representative of the Vadakalai sect.
A representative of the Thenkalai sect said the Thathachariars have the right to offer Mantra Pushpam only at the Moolas-thanam (the sanctum sanctorum) and, that too, on court orders.
“When they chant, they can chant only verses from the Vedas and not from other texts. Also, there is no official order permitting them to chant at the Mandapam. If they are allowed, so can we. If they stop chanting at the Mandapam, the festival will be conducted in a smooth manner,” he said.
Official sources in the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, under whose control the temple is, said they held separate meetings with both groups and secured a promise that they would ensure that the festival went on without any disturbance.
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Sudarshan Madabushi