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India Today
28-06-2025
- Politics
- India Today
In the name of Murugan
On June 22, Madurai played host to a grand gathering of Lord Murugan's devotees—the Muruga Bhakthargal Maanadu. Organised by the Hindu Munnani, a right-wing outfit closely aligned with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the event featured devotional music, ornate replicas of Murugan's six sacred abodes, or Arupadai Veedu, along with a steady undercurrent of political messaging.
United News of India
22-06-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
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
Time of India
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Guv bats for permanent setup of 6 Murugan abodes together
Madurai: Lord Murugan represents the essence of Tamil culture, Bharat, and Bhartiya identity, Governor R N Ravi said on Saturday after visiting the venue of the Murugan devotees conference (Muruga Bakthargal Manadu) in Madurai, a day ahead of the main event organised by Hindu Munnani. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The governor arrived around 11am after a yoga day event and offered prayers at the prototypes of the six abodes (Arupadai Veedu) of Lord Murugan, recreated for the conference. "Murugan is our supreme lord who reflects the culture of . He is not just our god, but also our identity. As the son of Lord Shiva, whom we revere as the god of completeness and divinity across India, Murugan embodies Tamil values and culture," he told reporters after the visit. The governor praised the organisers, particularly Hindu Munnani, for assembling replicas of all six sacred abodes, traditionally spread across Tamil Nadu, at a single venue. "I have visited each of the Arupadai Veedu individually, but seeing them all together in one place is a divine experience. This is a long-held dream come true for many, and such a concept should be considered for a permanent setup in the future," he added. Earlier in the day, Tamil Maanila Congress (TMC) president G K Vasan said after visiting the site that the devotees' conference will trigger a positive change in Tamil Nadu and 'pave the way for good people to serve society.' Later in the evening, BJP state president Nainar Nagenthiran and Maharashtra governor C P Radhakrishnan visited the Arupadai Veedu exhibit and offered prayers. In Coimbatore, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami extended his wishes. "In a democracy, everyone has the right to worship the deity of their choice. Based on that, an organisation is conducting the Murugan conference in a grand manner. I extend my best wishes for the conference," he told reporters. TNCC chief K Selvaperunthagai said BJP cannot deceive the people through Murugan conference, asserting that Tamils are conscious of the true intentions of the party that pursues 'anti-democratic electoral practices, language and economic policies. '
The Hindu
21-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
People visit replicas of Arupadai Veedu ahead of Lord Murugan conference
Ahead of Muruga Bakthargalin Aanmeega Maanadu to be held in Madurai on Sunday, hundreds of people visited the replicas of six Murugan temples (Arupadai Veedu) installed at the venue of the conference. The statues of Lord Murugan were placed inside each of the six replicas of the six abodes of Lord Murugan. For the people witnessing the six abodes of Lord Murugan, located in different parts of Tamil Nadu, under one roof was a once in a lifetime opportunity. The people from far and near thronged the venue throughout the day. People were seen clicking photographs and selfies enthusiastically in front of the replicas of the temples with their family members and friends. They were given prasadam following the darshan. Security has been beefed up at the venue of the conference to handle the crowd. People from far and near are expected to come to the event. Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan will be attending the conference. Considering that leaders from other States and State BJP leaders will be attending the event, additional security arrangements have been made by Madurai City police. The police have announced temporary traffic diversions in the city in view of the conference and in order to ease traffic congestion along the route. Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi who earlier in the day participated in the International Yoga Day event at Velammal Global School visited the venue of the conference. He went around the venue and took a look at the statues of Lord Murugan placed inside each of the six replicas of the six abodes of Lord Murugan.
The Hindu
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Kala Sadhana, an annual performance in memory of Rukmini Devi
Several students pass out of an institution but some take efforts to share what they have imbibed. S. Premnath is one such. After graduating from Kalakshetra, he went on to establish a dance institution in North Chennai. He named it Rukmini Devi Natyakshetra. Every year, he organises a tribute festival titled 'Kala Sadhana' at Kalakshetra as an offering to its founder. The 2025 edition, held recently, began with the feet of six dancers seen below a thiraiseelai (curtain), held by two other dancers. It was a graceful introduction to the six Karthigai pengal, who are intrinsic to the story of the birth of Muruga. This aesthetically conceived sequence formed a prelude to the presentation of 'Arupadai Veedu'. Beginning with the episode where Ganesha and Muruga fight over a mango, the other sequences focussed on the temples that form the Arupadai Veedu. Aesthetically choreographed, the section dedicated to the temples had dancers portraying their distinct features through well-designed movement patterns and aptly-conceived sancharis. The story of Soorapadman was the highlight here. From the vibrant dancing of the demonesses in the court and the entry of Soorapadman to the ensuing battle between him and Muruga, the sequences were developed as an engrossing costume drama. An imaginative element was three apsaras witnessing the battle from behind a transparent curtain. It was a nice way to use the stage space. The musical score was a fine blend of Carnatic ragas, chosen according to the scene. Vocalist Hariprasanth's bhava-rich voice added to the appeal of the production. M. Srikrishna on the mridangam, M.V. Srinivas on the violin, Bhagyalakshmi on the flute, Shyam on the tambura and Gunasekar on the conch offered amazing support. S. Premnath wielded the cymbals . The production, with well-coordinated costumes, sets, lighting and music, and dance composition was a heartfelt tribute to Rukmini Devi.
