Renowned music composer Ilaiyaraaja’s visit to the Srivilliputhur Andal Temple in Tamil Nadu on Sunday evening, ahead of the release of his composition ‘Divya Pasuram’, became the centre of a controversy after his request to go near the sanctum was denied by temple authorities who said that as per protocol, devotees are usually not allowed there.
Videos circulating on social media, in which Ilaiyaraaja was seen being escorted out of the temple’s inner chambers, triggered claims that the composer, who is from the Dalit community, was denied entry due to his caste.
Ilayaraja later said people were spreading “false rumours”.
“Some people are spreading false rumours centred around me. I am not one to compromise my self-respect at any time or place, and I will not compromise. They are spreading news that did not happen as if it happened. Fans and the public should not believe these rumours,” he said in a post on X.
Accompanied by Sri Satakopa Ramanuja Jeeyar and Sri Tridandi Srimannarayana Ramanuja Chinna Jeeyar Swami of the Sri Andal Jeeyar Mutt, Ilaiyaraaja was welcomed by joint commissioner K Sellathurai of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department.
Before the scheduled event, Ilayaraja and some priests proceeded to the temple’s key sanctums, including the Andal Sannidhi (sanctum), Nandavanam (temple garden), and Periya Perumal Sannidhi.
“At the Andal Sannidhi, devotees typically offer prayers from the Vasantha Mandapam, a pavilion located outside the Arthamandapam — the intermediary space leading to the sanctum sanctorum. When Ilaiyaraaja, along with the senior priests, approached the entrance of the Arthamandapam, priests informed him that entry beyond the Vasantha Mandapam was restricted. Consequently, Ilaiyaraaja offered his prayers from the designated area,” a senior Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department official told The Indian Express.
Following the temple visit, Ilaiyaraaja was honoured with Andal’s garlands and silk garments. He then attended a cultural event at the Aadi Pooram Kottagai, where musicians performed Andal’s Pasurams from his ‘Divya Pasuram’ album, followed by a Bharatanatyam performance. The event was organised to mark the beginning of the Margazhi month, a period when the temple hosts thousands of devotees.
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After the controversy erupted online, temple authorities clarified that restrictions were in adherence to established protocol, applicable to all devotees, which limit access to certain areas.
Sri Sadagopa Ramanuja Jeeyar Swamigal, one of the head priests, said the Andal Temple did not disrespect Ilaiyaraaja. “The temple administration gave him full honours. Ilaiyaraaja also visited Andal Thayar with devotion and satisfaction,” he said.
“The Arthamandapam, is an entrance porch forming a transitional area between the outside and the main hall of the temple. These structures are not only about the temple’s design but also crucial in facilitating the flow of devotees while preserving the sanctity of the innermost sanctum, the Garbhagriha, or womb chamber, where the deity resides,” the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department official said.
The Srivilliputhur Andal Temple, located in Virudhunagar district, is one of the 108 ‘Divya Desams’ dedicated to Lord Vishnu, revered as Vatapatrasayi, with his consort Lakshmi as Andal. The temple is renowned for its architectural grandeur. Srivilliputhur is also a significant pilgrimage site as it is also believed to be the birthplace of the Tamil poet-saints Alvars, who had a significant role in inspiring Tamil spirituality and cultural expressions from the Bhakti period.
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One of the Alvars, Periyalvar, and Andal, his foster daughter, who is revered as the only female Alvar known for her poetic contributions, notably the Tiruppavai. It is a set of 30 Tamil devotional hymns that are traditionally recited during the Tamil month of Margazhi, which falls in December-January. The Tiruppavai is part of the Nalayira Divya Prabandham, a collection of 4,000 Tamil verses composed by the Alvars, the 12 poet-saints of Tamil Nadu.
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