Temples under the purview of the Hindu Endowment Department have once again found themselves at the center of controversy. This time, it is the Palani Murugan Temple that is under fire after an incident involving an elderly devotee trapped on the mountain.
The devotee, an 85-year-old man named Murugesan from Krishnagiri, had come to Palani with his family to fulfill a prayer. However, due to his inability to walk, he could only crawl. The family took the cable car up the mountain in the evening to have darshan. But when they tried to return later that night, they were shocked to find out that the cable car operation had been halted due to a mechanical failure.
The temple staff, aware of Murugesan’s condition, suggested using the stairs to descend from the mountain. However, given his physical limitations, this was not possible for the elderly devotee. With the help of his family, he began the arduous task of crawling down each step.
Witnessing this heartbreaking sight, fellow devotees became infuriated, with some temple workers even getting into arguments. It was at this point that the temple staff intervened and made Murugesan sit on a chair, carrying him down the remaining steps.
News of this incident quickly spread on social media, attracting criticism towards the temple administration. Many questioned the lack of proper arrangements for devotees with disabilities and the insensitivity displayed by the temple staff.
In response to the backlash, temple officials maintained that the incident was an accident caused by the mechanical failure of the cable car. They claimed that after 9:30 pm, when the service was halted, the temple staff offered to carry Murugesan down in a chair, but the family refused. Instead, they opted to take him step by step, leading to the crawling ordeal.
The temple administration emphatically denied any administrative error and insisted that they acted appropriately given the circumstances.
The incident at the Palani Murugan Temple serves as a reminder that there is a pressing need for better accessibility and sensitivity towards the needs of devotees, particularly those with physical limitations. As temples hold immense religious significance for many, it is crucial that they strive to provide equal access and respect to all devotees, regardless of their physical abilities.
Our correspondent will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as necessary.