Article from Times of India

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sri:

Srimate Srilakshminrisimha Parabrahmane Nama:

Srimate Sri Lakshminrisimha Divyapadukasevaka

Srivan Satakopa Sri NarayanaYatindra Mahadesikaya nama:

 

namo narayana!

 

The following article appeared in today's Times of India

web edition. This is just for information.

 

-- adiyEn ramanuja dasan

 

 

 

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http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/articleshow?artid=24293044

 

Pontiff alleges insult to him in Kanchi temple

 

PTI [ SATURDAY, OCTOBER 05, 2002 10:12:41 PM ]

 

KANCHIPURAM: A visit to this holy city by Srimad Rangaramanuja Andavan

Swamigal,

head of the centuries old Srimad Andavan Mutt in Srirangam, which usually

passes off

unnoticed by the laity, has this time generated controversy.

 

The Andavan Mutt has been closely associated with the traditions of the

Varadarajaswami

temple here since the time of Saint Ramanuja.

 

The pontiff visited the Varadarajaswamy temple on Thursday, and on Friday

night he

called the press and announced that an insult had been meted out to him in

the temple.

 

He said the traditional privilege of offering 'panchamudra' (touching the

forehead and arms

of the devotee five times with the crown of the lord by the temple priest)

was refused to him

expressly. He said this refusal came as an oral instruction from the temple

'manikkarar' (officer).

 

" The temple priests expressed to me their regret at such an order which

they agreed was

irregular but still had to obey, " the pontiff said.

 

The pontiff said the Supreme Court had clearly defined that customs and

practices must be

followed strictly in anciet temples.

 

" But contradicting such court orders, today all customs and practices are

given the go by.

The officials misuse their powers and extend honours indicriminately, " he said.

 

The matter has been referred to the HR and CE commissioner, he said.

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