Minister Ramesh Tells BBC Tamil That Priest Collected Rs 1,000 via UPI at Tiruchendur Temple

A priest at the Thiruchendur Murugan Temple has been barred from entering the temple and performing rituals after allegedly accepting money from a minister’s aide in exchange for facilitating quick darshan. The priest, identified in local reports as Ayyappan, was found to be working as a temple volunteer rather than as an official priest. The incident has led to disciplinary action by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department.

According to Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Minister Ramesh, he visited the Thiruchendur Subramaniya Swamy Temple early in the morning on a surprise inspection while wearing a face mask. During the visit, his aide was allegedly approached near the Shanmuga Mandapam by a man claiming that if he was paid ₹1,000 per person, he could arrange faster access for darshan. When told that no cash was available, the man reportedly suggested payment through GPay and accepted the money before escorting the aide to special darshan.

The minister said a probe was immediately initiated after the incident and the person involved was questioned. In his explanation letter, the man reportedly asked for forgiveness. Pending further orders, he has been prohibited from entering the temple or carrying out any puja-related duties.

Ramesh said the findings from the surprise inspection at Thiruchendur would be submitted to the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay. He added that further action against temple officials would be decided after consultation with the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Commissioner and senior department officers, based on the chief minister’s decision.

The minister also confirmed action against other temple-linked staff. Two private contract security personnel were relieved from duty in connection with the case. In addition, the professional licenses of two workers who allegedly took bribes from devotees arriving to offer prayers were temporarily suspended.

Responding to questions from BBC Tamil about whether receiving only a written apology from the man was sufficient, Ramesh said the person who accepted ₹1,000 and arranged fast darshan was not a regular employee of the temple administration. He said that was why only a clarification letter had been obtained from him, while action had already been taken against the others involved.

The action by the department has been welcomed by the Thiruchendur Temple Thiruchendur Devasthanam Sangam. Speaking to BBC Tamil, the group’s president Moorthy said taking action against the priest was welcome and that they supported punishment against anyone found guilty, regardless of rank. He said the priests in the Thiruchendur temple traditionally carry out worship duties as part of the Thirisudantharar association and are not paid a salary by the temple administration.

Moorthy also noted that the priest who allegedly received money from the minister’s aide was a member of the Thirisudantharar group. The incident has triggered wider questions on temple management, transparency, and the use of money to bypass regular worship queues at one of Tamil Nadu’s major pilgrimage centers.