Devotees complain about delay in utsava processions at Varadarajaswamy temple in Kancheepuram

Devotees complained that the utsava procession of the idol of Sri Devarajaswamy, also known as Sri Varadharajaswamy, on Yaali Vahanam was disrupted in Kancheepuram on Monday evening. The procession was part of the temple’s annual Brahmotsavam, which takes place in the temple town.

On Monday, the deity was dressed as Mohini Avataram and was circumambulated by a fixed route in the morning and brought out to the Yaali Vahanam in the evening and was to be taken to the Gangaikondaan Mandapam, offer offerings and then travel back to the temple.

Sources said the 14 km route was shortened to 200 meters by the temple authorities due to lack of time. “In the morning, five new mandagapadis (paying visits of the idol to various homes) were added to the route, delaying the return by several hours and thus the other processions. The inability of the priests and sri padam thaangis who carry the idol to work under extreme fatigue is cited as the reason for bringing the idol back,” the entire festival said this year, with a delay.

Another source in the temple said that Maniyakarar, who looks after the internal affairs of the temple, and Kodaikaarar, who manages the exchange of umbrellas along the procession route, have been transferred from the temple. “The entire administration has turned upside down. The person in charge of the Madapalli (the kitchen where the prasadam is cooked) has been made a Maniyakarar. He is not able to walk with the deity even though he is responsible for the smooth running of the festival and is responsible for the jewelery on the idol. Various employees and even priests are under threat of suspension at the source. All this is under threat of suspension at the two sources.

The day before, there was a small skirmish between the Vadakalai and Thenkalai sects over the chanting of the Nalayiradivya prabandham.

Published – 02 Jun 2026 23:33 IST