Latest news with #LordMurugan
New Indian Express
6 days ago
- General
- New Indian Express
Neolithic grooves, Iron Age relics found in Vellakoil taluk of Tiruppur district
COIMBATORE: Relics believed to be of the Iron Age were found along with Neolithic remnants in the Vellakoil taluk of Tiruppur district by a heritage conservation group recently. Nine distinct grinding grooves (for sharpening of tools) carved into a granite rock, microlithic stone tools and cultural traces of Iron Age like iron ore slag were among the findings by the members of the Yaakkai Heritage Trust. "Archaeologists say such grooves are typical markers of the Neolithic culture where stone implements were ground or shaped for use. In Tamil Nadu these features have been identified at select sites in both northern and southern districts. This latest find follows previous documentation by our team at Thathanur in Tiruppur as well as in known sites in Naduvacheri and Kethaiarumbu, all within the Kongu region, highlighting the wider prehistoric settlement network," said Kumaravel Ramasamy, a member of the trust. The grinding grooves indicate ancient tool-sharpening and production activities likely of herding communities. "The granite at Kollan Paarai is like the rocks of the Eastern Ghats and has grooves cut into its hard surface. Surface surveys in the adjacent area called "Kollan Kadu" also yielded microlithic blade tools made of quartz, and numerous iron slag pieces. Kollan Paarai itself continues to be a living heritage site. Local traditions identify the rock grooves as symbolic footprints of Lord Murugan of Sivanmalai, and pilgrims perform rituals at the site during their journey to Sivanmalai," said Sudhakar Nalliyappan, another member of the Trust. As the Neolithic period, which is the last period of the Stone Age, gave way to the Iron Age artefacts of both periods could be found together.
The Hindu
27-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker reaffirms HR&CE's control over temples in the state
Tamil Nadu legislative assembly speaker M. Appavu reiterated that the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department can never be removed from managing temples across the state, while addressing the media here on Friday. Referring to the resolution passed at the recently held Lord Murugan conference, which demanded HR&CE department to hand over administration of all temples to an independent board, he said, 'Even after gaining independence, there existed a deplorable situation in Hindu temples, where people other than the 10% upper caste Hindus were not allowed entry. That is why the government has intervened and formed the HR&CE department and declared that everyone is equal, ensuring that all people could walk on temple streets and enter temples.' Mr. Appavu added that because of this inclusive approach, the HR&CE department is now being successfully run by the government for the self respect of the remaining 90% Hindus. He criticised those who believe the HR&CE department could be evicted from the temple administration and handed over to the 10% of the upper caste Hindus, as was the situation in the past. 'That will never happen in Tamil Nadu,' he asserted. He further remarked, 'They (the BJP government) have completed 10 years of their tenure and during that time, they have already privatised harbours, airports and airlines across the country.' Now they are daydreaming about privatising the ancient and historically rich temples under the HR&CE department, he added. Mr. Appavu asserted that the people of Tamil Nadu will never accept such a move, nor will they accept anyone who comes with such ideology. He also expressed his disappointment that, at the very least a resolution was not passed to mandate that pujas in all Lord Murugan temples be performed in Tamil, given that Lord Murugan is considered a Tamil deity. 'But they will never accept Tamil,' remarked Mr. Appavu.
The Hindu
21-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Conference on Lord Murugan should be seen above politics: Governor R.N. Ravi
with pic (R. Ashok) MADURAI Governor R.N. Ravi, following his visit to the venue of the Lord Murugan conference in Madurai on Saturday, said the event on Murugan, a god revered as a cultural identity of the people, should be seen above politics. 'He defines Bharat and Bharitya. I am happy to witness all the six gods in one place,' he said. 'I have been to all six temples of Lord Murugan — a god respected by Hindus all over India and in other countries,' he added. 'Similar to char dham yatra, spread across the country and the char dham yatra at one place in Uttarakhand, all the six Lord Murugan temples in one place is our dream, and one day it will be realised,' Mr. Ravi said.
Time of India
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
HC sets aside condition to obtain vehicle passes from district police
Madurai: Madras high court on Friday set aside the condition imposed by Madurai city police to obtain vehicle passes for participation in the Lord Murugan devotees conference, saying the right to movement throughout the territory of India is guaranteed to all citizens under Article 19(1)(d) of the Constitution. The court modified the order of a single bench in this regard. The court was hearing an appeal filed by Hindu Munnani functionary M Arasupandi challenging a condition imposed by a single bench. The petitioner had earlier filed another petition challenging certain conditions imposed by the city police while permitting the conference. The single bench had refused to interfere with the condition requiring participants to obtain passes for vehicles from the concerned district police. Aggrieved by the condition, the petitioner moved Supreme Court. The petition was disposed of as withdrawn on the petitioner's request, following which he preferred the present appeal before high court. Senior counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the object of the state appears to be to put spokes in the wheels and discourage participants to the conference. A division bench of Justice G R Swaminathan and Justice K Rajasekar observed that since the authorities themselves chose to grant permission for the conference, no exception can be taken to its conduct. The condition imposed by the assistant commissioner of police, Anna Nagar, Madurai city, states that no vehicle carrying the conference participants without a vehicle pass will be allowed to enter city limits. An assistant commissioner can have jurisdiction and sway only over her territorial limits. The official cannot issue an order preventing the entry of vehicles into Madurai city. It is open to any citizen to enter Madurai city in his/her vehicle, and such a right cannot be interfered with by an assistant commissioner, said the judges. In the case on hand, not more than 10,000 vehicles are expected, and therefore, there is no need to impose such an onerous condition. The appellant undertook that participants who come in their personal vehicles or hired vehicles would deposit the photostat copies of the RC book, insurance certificate, and driving licence at the police booths at various parking places earmarked. "The organisers assure us that pucca arrangements have been made so that there is no stampede, which was witnessed in Bengaluru, Delhi, and other places recently," the judges observed.
The Hindu
19-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Attempt being made to disturb Madurai's tradition of social harmony
Madurai has a tradition of social harmony where equality and brotherhood is followed. The Sangh Parivar is conducting the Lord Murugan devotees conference in Madurai to disturb this harmony and keeping the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections on their mind, said VCK president and Chidambaram MP Thol. Thirumavalavan, on Thursday. Addressing the gathering at the Human Chain protest organised in Madurai by the members of Madurai Madha Nallinakka Makkal Kootamaipu, Mr. Thirumavalavan said that BJP, Hindu Munnani and the Sangh Paraivar who have never voiced for the public with respect to several issues had earlier tried to divide the people through the Tirupparankundaram issue. Now, they are attempting to disturb harmony though the conference. They have never spoken for precedence to Tamil in the temple rituals and are taking steps to eliminate the findings of Keeladi and Tamil civilization. The Sangh Parivar is trying to use the method which is being used by them in the North to divide the people. The people of Tamil Nadu should stay united and oppose the attempt being made to disturb communal harmony, he said. Advocate S. Vanchinathan, the Coordinator of the forum, said that the conference organised by Hindu Munnani is not a religious conference, but was a political conference targeting the 2026 Assembly elections. Mixing religion and politics is dangerous. In the North, they divided the people in the name of Lord Ram and here they want to do the same in the name of Lord Murugan, he said. He urged the State government to monitor the conference and ensure that communal harmony is not disturbed. Earlier, Mr. Thirumavalavan visited Tirupparankundram and interacted with the people. Addressing media persons, he said that an attempt had been made to divide the people. But, there was no enmity between the people and they have remained united.
