Renowned musician Ilayaraja recently visited the Srivilliputhur Andal temple in Tamil Nadu. But they were not allowed to enter the sanctum sanctorum. Now his video has surfaced on the internet. In which it is being claimed that he was not allowed entry into the temple because of his caste. However, now the musician has reacted to this controversy.
Ilayaraja has reacted on his X handle to rumors that temple priests asked him to leave the sanctum sanctorum. He tweeted in Tamil, 'Some people are spreading false rumors about 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 didn't actually happen. Fans and the public should not believe these rumours.'
Musician Ilayaraja was welcomed by the temple priests Ilaiyaraaja was accompanied by Sadagopa Ramanuja Iyer and Sadagopa Ramanuja Jayar of Sri Andala Jayar Math in Srivilliputhur. However, reports are claiming that when the trio approached the sanctum sanctorum of the deity, the temple priests asked them to leave. The musician came to the temple for the release of his new song 'Divya Pashuram'. The temple authorities welcomed him here with Andal garlands and silk clothes.
Statement by temple officials However, a statement has come from the temple authorities in this matter. Speaking to the media, a senior official said that in the Andal Sannidhi, devotees usually pray from the Vasantha Mandapam, which is the path leading to the sanctum sanctorum and located outside the Arthamandapam. When Ilaiyaraaja reached the entrance of the Arthamandapam with the senior priests, the priests told him that entry beyond the Vasantha Mandapam was prohibited. So he worshiped from there.
Image Credit: (Divya-Bhaskar): Images/graphics belong to (Divya-Bhaskar).
