Dharmapuram Aadheenam seer carried on palanquin after TN government lifts ban
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Chennai: Devotees carried the Dharmapuram Aadheenam mutt seer on a palanquin on Saturday, as the Tamil Nadu government lifted a ban on the ritual of the 'Pattina Pravesham'.
Earlier this month, the Mayiladuthurai Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) J. Balaji had denied permission for the ritual of 'Pattina Pravesham' following objections from the Dravidian and Periyarist outfits.
The outfits had claimed that the mutt's centuries-old practice was regressive and violative of human rights.
On the occasion of "Guru Pooja", the seer was carried from his abbey to the mausoleum of tombs of his predecessors by his disciples on a palanquin Saturday.
Pattina Pravesham will be held on Sunday, wherein the seer will be carried on a palanquin through the city.
The state government revoked the ban after the Dharmapuram Aadheenam seer, Gnanasambandha Paramacharya Swamigal, met Chief Minister M.K. Stalin.
The opposition BJP and AIADMK had come out against the ban.
The palanquin bearers had also said that there were no violations of rights as they did not have any objection to carrying their spiritual guru.
The palanquin carriers had pointed out that they have been regarded as 'Sripatham Thangigal' for several generations.
With the state government revoking the ban, all eyes are now Sunday's programme.
Source: IANS
