Lakhs likely to attend BJP's Lord Murugan devotees conference in Madurai tomorrow
Madurai, June 21 (UNI) With the key assembly polls in the Tamil Nadu
political horizon, the BJP, which is leading the NDA helmed by the main
Opposition AIADMK, will hold a Lord Murugan devotees conference in
the temple town of Madurai on Sunday, which has become now become
the political hot spot for various political parties
The much-anticipated Murugan Devotees' Conference, which faced some
hurdles and protests and the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court giving
its nod, is all set to take place at Amma Thidal, near Vandiyur Toll Plaza in
Madurai, from where several political party leaders have launched their
foray, with the ruling DMK recently holding its key General Council meeting
after a gap of 48 years.
Though Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who is scheduled to
inaugurate it has cancelled it, it would now be inaugurated by AP Deputy
Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan.
Though the BJP has been maintaining that it was an event to spread the
message of Lord Muruga and has installed replica of his six abodes with
idols inside--that was visited by thousands of Muruga devotees over the
last few days--party sources told UNI tonight that it was purely a devotional
gathering and there was no politics in it.
The conference will bring the curtains down on the about week long event.
TN BJP chief and Legislature Party Leader Nainar Nagendran repeatedly
stressed it that it was an occasion to highlight the message of Lord Muruga.
The BJP had earlier organised Vel Yatra and also undertook padayatra to
six his abodes, especially in the context of therow that emerged over
Tiruparankundram hills--one of the abodes--to invoke his blessings, in what
was seen as a bid to consolidate the Hindu votes in the state and defeat
the ruling DMK.
Organized by Hindu Munnani and supported by the BJP Tamil Nadu unit,
the conference is expected to draw more than five lakh devotees from
across Tamil Nadu, other parts of India, and countries like Sri Lanka,
Malaysia, and Singapore.
Mr Nainar Nagendran, addressing the media ahead of the event, urged
devotees from all walks of life and political affiliations to participate.
'Lord Murugan belongs to all. This is not a political event. It is a spiritual
conference meant to strengthen our religious and cultural heritage,' he
reiterated.
He also emphasised that people should not bring political flags or banners,
and that the focus will be entirely on faith, devotion, and Tamil culture.
The highlight of the event is the devotional exhibits replicating the six Arupadai
Veedu temples of Lord Murugan.
Inaugurated a week ago, it drew thousands of people to have a darshan of
the six avatars of the Lord giving an opportunity to those who could not visit
these abodes.
Continuous chanting of Kandha Sashti Kavacham (Lord Muruga devotional
song) by about five lakh devotees and special poojas are planned on the
occasion.
Artists and orators from across the state will participate in cultural programs
that would reflect the legacy of Murugan worship in Tamil tradition.
The police have made elaborate security and announced traffic diversions in
Madurai anticipating a huge footfall.
According to BJP sources, this conference is part of a larger cultural revival
initiative aimed at protecting and promoting Tamil Hindu traditions, especially
the widespread devotion to Lord Murugan, who is considered the guardian
deity of the Tamil people.
The organizers and BJP leaders have also clarified that religious unity and
devotion are the central themes of this event, not electoral gains or political
narratives.
The conference will conclude with a mass prayer for peace, prosperity, and
unity across Tamil Nadu and the nation.
The BJP said "with divine blessings, a grand Muruga Bhakth Sammelan
(conference) will be held on the auspicious day during the sacred Sri
Visuvavasu (Tamil calendar) year.
"This spiritual gathering will take place in Madurai, the land that has nurtured and
celebrated the richness of culture and devotion for centuries", the BJP said.
"Let us come together in vast numbers--like waves of a divine ocean--to seek the
boundless grace of Lord Muruga and immerse ourselves in devotion", it said.
UNI GV 2245
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