CHENNAI: The lockdown rules mandate temples to be shut, but several remain open. TOI found at least five places of worship in residential areas attracting huge numbers of devotees, none of them following distancing norms or wearing masks.
At Gangai Amman Koil in Vadapalani, on a street that was a containment zone until a couple of weeks ago, the Sunday puja draws hundreds of devotees who block the road. Balavinayagar temple on Vellalar Street, Vadapalani, is open, as is the Vembuliamman temple in CIT Nagar, near the T Nagar bus stand, where a marriage was held and the bride, groom and their families allowed in. The chief priest told TOI it was opened based on people’s requests. “Not just here, in every district temples are open.”
Members of trusts running temples in inner areas said they were open for an hour every morning. “We do basic rituals and pujas. Sometimes, when there is a huge demand, we allow devotees,” said the member of a trust. Asked if they would conduct a puja on demand, he said they would.
Greater Chennai Corporation commissioner G Prakash said they were taking action whenever they received complaints. A corporation conservancy inspector said a temple on Thiru Nagar Street in Kodambakkam attracted huge crowds last Sunday. “We warned them and told them to close it. We will ensure all temples are closed,” he said.
Since the lockdown began, all big temples are closed. “Weddings usually take place out on the street but we ensure they follow social distancing and wear masks. On Friday, two weddings took place outside Vadapalani Murugan temple. But the doors were shut,” said a corporation revenue official.
The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department runs hundreds of temples and an equal number of temples are run by private trusts and political parties. “We have instructed all temples and religious mutts under the department not to open for public since March 25,” HR&CE commissioner Phanindra Reddy told TOI.
The state government has clearly said no temple or any religious association can open during the lockdown and perform rituals or pujas. “With regard to temples not under our department, it is for the regulatory authorities to take action,” he said.
Since the lockdown began, daily pujas and annual festivals in all big and small temples under the HR&CE department are being held without devotees. “For the sake of devotees, we livestream pujas from inside the temple. We share the YouTube link with devotees,” said a Chennai-based temple official.
At Gangai Amman Koil in Vadapalani, on a street that was a containment zone until a couple of weeks ago, the Sunday puja draws hundreds of devotees who block the road. Balavinayagar temple on Vellalar Street, Vadapalani, is open, as is the Vembuliamman temple in CIT Nagar, near the T Nagar bus stand, where a marriage was held and the bride, groom and their families allowed in. The chief priest told TOI it was opened based on people’s requests. “Not just here, in every district temples are open.”
Members of trusts running temples in inner areas said they were open for an hour every morning. “We do basic rituals and pujas. Sometimes, when there is a huge demand, we allow devotees,” said the member of a trust. Asked if they would conduct a puja on demand, he said they would.
Greater Chennai Corporation commissioner G Prakash said they were taking action whenever they received complaints. A corporation conservancy inspector said a temple on Thiru Nagar Street in Kodambakkam attracted huge crowds last Sunday. “We warned them and told them to close it. We will ensure all temples are closed,” he said.
Since the lockdown began, all big temples are closed. “Weddings usually take place out on the street but we ensure they follow social distancing and wear masks. On Friday, two weddings took place outside Vadapalani Murugan temple. But the doors were shut,” said a corporation revenue official.
The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department runs hundreds of temples and an equal number of temples are run by private trusts and political parties. “We have instructed all temples and religious mutts under the department not to open for public since March 25,” HR&CE commissioner Phanindra Reddy told TOI.
The state government has clearly said no temple or any religious association can open during the lockdown and perform rituals or pujas. “With regard to temples not under our department, it is for the regulatory authorities to take action,” he said.
Since the lockdown began, daily pujas and annual festivals in all big and small temples under the HR&CE department are being held without devotees. “For the sake of devotees, we livestream pujas from inside the temple. We share the YouTube link with devotees,” said a Chennai-based temple official.
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