MADURAI: The timely intervention of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has paved way towards finding solution to the dispute in famous Arulmigu Sri Ramalinga Sowdambigai Ammal Kovil in Aruppukottai in Virudhunagar district of Tamil Nadu during this festive season of 2017.
Difference of opinion, claims and counter-claims on ‘Ambalam’ issue between two groups in the three-sub division Devangar Moondru Mirasugal Uravinmurai had led to a dispute which affected the conduct of important of festival events in the temple for two years.
When this issue was brought to the attention of BJP’s Makkal Sevai Mayyam in Madurai in this June, the matter was taken up with the Virudhunagar district administration so as to ensure that devotees and temple events do not get hampered because of dispute.
(The three sub-divisions of Uravin Murai are: Moolaiveedu Ambalam, Karyakarar Ambalam and Bettakadu Ambalam).
COLLECTOR BRIEFED:
It was BJP State Secretary and party’s Madurai zone in-charge Prof.Dr.R.Srinivasan who quickly intervened by speaking to the Virudhunagar district Collector.
“I met the district collector and briefed him about this temple dispute….then, the collector gave instructions to RDO…subsequently, both the parties who are claiming for ambalam were brought to the negotiating table and a peace committee was formed as a first step. This was the good initiative taken by the BJP in public interest,” Dr.Srinivasan said.
The Aruppukottai RDO Mrs.M.Selvi had issued circular to concerned parties in the temple dispute about the outcome of peace meeting held on July 22nd 2017 and also cautioned that action will be taken if temple festivals are disrupted.
TEAM MEETS BJP LEADER:
A four-member team from Aruppukottai came to Madurai on August 1st 2017 to thank Dr.Srinivasan and the BJP for putting in efforts to solve the dispute in Sowdambigai Amman Devasthanam and also to plead that the coming Navarathri festival this year is held smoothly.
“Let the people decide Ambalam issue…if the dispute is resolved soon we can start preparations for 12-day Navarathri festival in our temple….Partiality of one person is the reason for dispute….we are hoping that the district collector, RDO and the BJP will help in settling the Ambalam dispute….if that happens, things will be normal,” Mr.G.Rajkumar, secretary, Devanga Arts College-Aruppukottai, has said.
ON ROTATION BASIS:
The Ambalam and trustee matter comes on rotation basis but the selfishness of one person is disturbing the temple work, he added. Navarathri Thiruvizha is being celebrated in this Aruppukottai temple for the past 108 years. Sadly, the festival could not be conducted in 2015. However, it was organised in a small way in 2016.
After the BJP’s role and the RDO’s peace meeting, this year’s Aadi Amavasya event- Avathara Thirunaal- was successfully conducted this month.
Mr.M.Chockanathan, ex-trustee and Mr.S.Selvam, mrember, too are appealing for a quick solution to the Ambalam issue. Talks with Moolaikadu Ambalam will have to be done fast and the people of Aruppukottai are hoping that Mr.K.S.S.Soundaiah cooperates in finding solution to the dispute in Sowdambigai Amman Temple, Aruppukottai.
