Ancient Hindu Ritual Insulted Again. On May 8, 2025, a sacred Hindu ritual at the Mandaikadu Bhagavathi Amman Temple in Tamil Nadu was disrupted. This temple is very important for women devotees, especially from Tamil Nadu and Kerala. It is often called the Sabarimala for women because of its spiritual value. During the Kumbabhishekam ceremony, the main priest was supposed to ride on an elephant to the sea and bring back holy water, a ritual that has been followed for generations. But this year, near a nearby Christian shrine, a group forced the priest to step down. This act was not just disrespectful, it was a direct attack on Hindu customs.
The Humiliation of the Hindu Faith
The head priest had to walk to the sea and return on foot. The elephant, which holds deep religious symbolism in Hindu tradition, was not allowed to perform its sacred duty. This kind of insult is more than a disruption, it is a humiliation of the Hindu religion. Many Hindus saw this as a planned interference, not an accident. The ritual, followed for centuries, was broken publicly, and no strict action was taken by the local authorities.
Why Mandaikadu Matters
The Mandaikadu temple is not just another religious site. It is famous for its 15-foot anthill that symbolizes Goddess Bhagavathi, a form of Goddess Parvati. Every year, thousands of women take holy baths in the sea here before offering prayers. Breaking this sacred tradition is seen as an attack not just on faith, but also on the dignity of Hindu women.
This is not the first time that Hindu temples in Tamil Nadu have faced disrespect and violence. In fact, several past incidents show a worrying pattern:
- The 1982 Mandaikadu Riots: According to the Venugopal Commission, the riots began when Christian groups obstructed Hindu women performing temple rituals. The report documented cases of molestation, harassment, and even deaths. It confirmed that Christian radicals instigated the violence.
- May 2023, Shiva Temple Vandalism: 63 idols of revered Nayanmars (devotee-saints of Shiva) were broken. Over 250 Hindu temples have been demolished in Tamil Nadu in recent years, often under the excuse of encroachment. In contrast, illegal churches and mosques are rarely touched.
- December 2024 to February 2025: A Hindu temple was vandalized three times in a village. Villagers blamed the incidents on hate speeches by a local Christian priest.
- Thiruparankundram Hills Incident (Feb 2025): Videos showed non-vegetarian food being eaten at the sacred hill, which is a place of Hindu devotion. When Hindu groups protested, police imposed Section 144, not on the offenders, but to control the Hindus.
- Madurai Temple Wall Demolished: The HR&CE Department was accused of tearing down a heritage temple wall under the name of renovation. Activist T.R. Ramesh called it an illegal move targeting Hindu religious structures.
- Two Temples Demolished in Rain (June 2024): Despite protests by Hindu devotees, two temples were demolished by authorities during heavy rainfall. Devotees questioned why such urgency was shown only for Hindu temples.
Ignored Warnings, Ignored Pain
Justice P. Venugopal, who led the commission after the 1982 riots, had made clear recommendations:
- Make laws to stop forced religious conversions.
- Do not allow new religious buildings to come up near ancient temples.
These suggestions have never been fully implemented. In fact, the Christian presence near Mandaikadu has only grown stronger. A small crucifix tower has now become a large shrine. Local Hindus say this is not peaceful coexistence — it is religious domination.
Church Expansion: A Silent Takeover?
The Catholic Church in this region has increased its influence slowly but strategically. They run schools, colleges, co-operative banks, and other institutions, giving them social and economic control. What was once a Hindu space is being taken over, step by step, through what some call “soft power.” Even the lighting of temple lamps on hillocks is now blocked by Christian groups.
Many writers and filmmakers have portrayed Hindu traditions in a bad light. One novel, Marupakkam, presented Christians as victims and Hindus as aggressors in the 1982 incident. These stories reach international platforms and slowly change how the world sees Hindus, turning the victims into villains. There is no strong Hindu voice in the media or literature to correct these lies.
Hindus Left Alone by Media and State
When the Mandaikadu priest was forced to dismount, most mainstream Tamil media remained silent. Some even praised the priest for “walking humbly” to avoid communal tension. But why should Hindu customs be changed for others? Why should the state allow one community to dominate another’s sacred rituals?
Even powerful Hindu leaders like Pon Radhakrishnan were not able to take back the hillocks once taken over by churches. The state remains passive. The police did not act in the 2025 incident, even when they saw the humiliation of the Hindu priest.
Collapse of the “Religious Harmony” Illusion
Many Hindus now believe that the so-called “inter-faith dialogue” is a one-way street; Hindus are asked to bend, compromise, and give up. But others are not held to the same standard. The priest, being forced to walk instead of riding the elephant, has become a powerful symbol. It represents the spiritual and social fall that comes when one religion is not allowed to practice freely.
What Needs to Change
- The Venugopal Commission’s report must be implemented immediately.
- Stop the construction of new shrines next to old temples.
- Stop selective demolition of temples.
- Pass strong laws against forced conversions and cultural interference.
- The media must stop covering up such incidents.
The Mandaikadu disruption is part of a larger problem in Tamil Nadu, a pattern of targeted disrespect, humiliation, and marginalization of Hindu temples and devotees. From temple demolitions to narrative attacks, the goal seems to be to break the soul of a civilization.
It is time for both the government and the people to recognize that Hindu rights are human rights. And they need to be protected, not just for one day, not just for one temple, but for the dignity of an entire community.
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