Speaking at the Ulaga Sivanadiyar Thirukkoottam in Coimbatore, former IG Pon Manickavel said that 26,000 temples in Tamil Nadu do not have priests. He said that everyone should come together to protect the deities in these temples.
Coimbatore: Former IG Pon Manickavel has said that 26,000 temples in Tamil Nadu are without priests.
The Saiva Festival was organized on behalf of the Ulaga Sivanadiyar Thirukkoottam at Santhalinga Ramasamy Adigalar Mutt in Peruradheenam, Coimbatore. Pon Manickavel, former IG of idol smuggling unit, was present on the occasion.
Following the incident, Pon Manickavel told reporters,
In many countries of the world, there are Sivanadiyars. In particular, the devotees of Lord Shiva in Tamil Nadu should be brought under one umbrella.
The purpose for that is the same. Our forefathers searched for it and protected the temples and the images of The Lord. In Tamil Nadu, 26,000 temples do not have priests.
The deities in all temples should be protected. For that, everyone above the age of 60 years should join the world's Sivanadiyar Thirukkoottam. You have to do godly service.
Then Hinduism will flourish and temples and images will be protected. It will be a guiding light for the next generation. The police have not shown any interest in registering cases of temple idol theft. This is what he said.