Latest news with #Mariamman
Toronto Star
2 days ago
- General
- Toronto Star
A fight to save a Hindu temple for the ‘unheard and unseen'
NEW YORK (RNS) — Illuminated by a skylight at the center of a small factory-turned-Hindu temple in Queens sits a murti of the Divine Mother — a 1-ton, 6-foot-tall icon of the South Indian village goddess Mariamman, an incarnation of Kali, the deity of time and death. Smoke from cigarettes and incense fills the room, and bottles of rum sit next to fruit at the altar. 'Our religion is very rural, very villagelike,' said Chandni Kalu, 31, a priestess at the Richmond Hill temple. 'It's very raw.'
New Indian Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Karur temple closed in 2018 following caste clash reopened as per Madras HC order
KARUR: Acting on court orders, the HR&CE department-administered Mariamman temple at Chinnadharapuram in the district was reopened for public worship amid tight police security on Friday evening. The temple was closed in 2018 following a caste clash. The temple, which has been under the HR&CE department since 1973, had members of various communities participate in pujas and other rituals until 2018 when SC and MBC members involved in an alleged clash. With both groups approaching the Madurai Bench of the Madras HC, the temple remained closed since then. During the hearing on July 15, the court instructed HR&CE officials to take steps to resume worship at the temple and to display a notice board announcing that all communities are allowed to offer prayers. As per the direction, officials placed the notice board in front of the temple on Thursday. Learning this, a group of MBC members assembled in front of the temple the same day and removed the notice board. Despite official talks, the MBC community opposed the temple's reopening, stating that the issue was pending before court. The HR&CE officials then lodged a complaint against them with the Chinnatharapuram police, who then registered a case. On Friday evening, a team of officials led by HR&CE Assistant Commissioner M Ramanikandan opened the temple following which members of both the MBC and SC communities entered inside and offered prayers.
Time of India
07-07-2025
- Time of India
Villagers protest caste discrimination
Namakkal: Traffic was affected on the Tiruchengode-Kozhikkal Natham Road for three hours on Sunday night due to a protest. A group of villagers in Sengodampalayam area in Namakkal district opposed the move to exclude them from a consecration ceremony at a temple. The protesters alleged that members of the gounder community had barred them from taking part in the consecration of the Mariamman temple scheduled for July 13. It was agreed that all residents of the Sengodampalayam area would be allowed to participate in the ceremony. However, some members of a community (Kongu vellala gounders) insisted only 300 families from their caste and 50 families from other communities, would be allowed to take part. They said others would be excluded from the ceremony. In response, several communities blocked the Kozhikkal Natham Road, demanding that they be allowed to take part in the consecration. The protesters dispersed after police issued written assurance to them on holding discussions.
Time of India
07-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Villagers oppose move to exclude them from temple consecration, stage road blockade near Namakkal
NAMAKKAL: Traffic was affected on the Tiruchengode-Kozhikkal Natham Road for three hours on Sunday night due to a protest by a group of villagers in Sengodampalayam area in Namakkal district who opposed the move to exclude them from a scheduled consecration ceremony at a temple. The protesters alleged that gounder caste members had barred them from taking part in the consecration of the Mariamman temple scheduled for the July 13. The protest ended after police gave them a written assurance that discussions would be held with the revenue divisional officer to find an appropriate resolution. The temple -- dedicated to Sri Siddhi Vinayagar, Sri Mariamman and Sri Muneeswarar Swamy -- is noted for its unique double sanctum. Around 1,500 families reside in Sengodampalayam. The temple, which had been overseen by an administrative committee for many years, is currently managed by the Hindu religious and charitable endowment department. The villagers decided to conduct the temple consecration (kumbabhishekam) on July 13. It was agreed that all residents of the Sengodampalayam area would be allowed to participate in the ceremony. However, some members of a specific community (Kongu Velala Koundars) insisted that only 300 families from their caste, who traditionally paid taxes (thandel) to the temple, along with 50 families from other communities, would be permitted to pay taxes, collect mulapari (sprouted seeds) and gather teertha (holy water). They stated that others would be excluded from the kumbabhishekam ceremony and other special functions. In response to this, several communities from the Sengodampalayam region blocked the Kozhikkal Natham Road on Sunday night, demanding that they be allowed to take part in the temple's special events. The Tiruchengode town police engaged in discussions with the protesters. The protesters dispersed after the police issued written assurance to them on holding discussions.
The Hindu
01-07-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Tribal women continue menstrual seclusion practice in Thalavadi Hills in Erode
In several tribal hamlets of the Thalavadi Hills, adolescent girls and women continue the long-standing practice of menstrual seclusion, staying in small, separate rooms outside their homes during their monthly cycles. Though not enforced by any external authority, the practice is deeply rooted in religious and cultural beliefs. Women voluntarily refrain from entering their homes and use separate utensils for four days every month, viewing it as an act of devotion to deities such as Jadasamy, Mariamman, Rangasamy, Madeswaran, and Nanjundeshwara. Food is delivered in utensils at the doorstep without direct contact, and women are required to remain inside the room throughout their cycle. Their interaction with family members and neighbours is minimal, and they are not allowed to participate in social activities during this period. Both educated and uneducated women uphold the tradition, which has been passed down through generations. The isolation rooms, typically small spaces accommodating two to three women, are either attached to homes or shared within the community. The practice is prevalent in Kalithimbam, Ittarai, Thadasalatti, Mavanatham, Mavallam, Pudukadu, and Gethesal hamlets, located within and beyond Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve (STR) in the hilly region. A 27-year-old woman from Mavallam, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the practice stems from long-standing taboos. 'We know there is no stigma. But we strongly believe in our deities, and we will follow this practice,' said the mother of two. Among the 35 tribal families in the hamlet, many women have studied only up to Class 8 before dropping out. Another woman, aged 33, echoed the sentiment, saying, 'We won't break the customs. It has been followed for generations.' Though some men claimed they had no objection to women entering homes during menstruation, in practice, many preferred that the tradition be maintained. In response, the Sathyamangalam-based Rights Education and Development Centre (READ) has begun conducting awareness campaigns in the hamlets, promoting a scientific understanding of menstruation and advocating for gender equality. The campaign emphasises that menstruation is a natural biological process, not associated with impurity or religious defilement. At a recent awareness programme in Mavallam, part of Hasanur panchayat, READ Director R. Karuppasamy urged residents not to exclude women or expose them to physical and emotional risks. 'This is not about challenging faith, but about understanding science. Menstruation is natural and has no link to theettu (ritual impurity),' he said. Mr. Karuppasamy also highlighted serious safety concerns, particularly the risk of wild elephant attacks faced by women staying outside in forest-fringe villages near the reserve. As part of its long-term strategy, READ plans to select two youths from each hamlet for intensive training to serve as peer educators. These trained individuals will help sensitise communities, especially men, to menstrual health, safety, and inclusion. 'Menstrual isolation is not only unscientific, but also a form of gender-based violence against a vulnerable group,' Mr. Karuppasamy said. He clarified that the initiative did not aim to undermine religious beliefs, but sought to protect the health, dignity, and rights of women.
