After temple visit row, Ilayaraja denies rumours over denial of entry to sanctum sanctorum

Legendary music composer Ilayaraja’s visit to the famous Andal temple in Srivilliputhur in southern Tamil Nadu on Sunday sparked a controversy as his request to go near the sanctum sanctorum was denied by the temple authorities, saying only the priest is allowed to enter.

Videos of Ilayaraja being denied entry into the sanctum sanctorum went viral on social media. In the video Ilayaraja was seen walking into the temple with the authorities and the Srivilliputhur Jeeyar or the priest. He was accompanied by Sri Satakopa Ramanuja Jeeyar and Sri Tridandi Srimannarayana Ramanuja Chinna Jeeyar Swami of the Sri Andal Jeeyar Mutt and was welcomed by joint commissioner K Sellathurai of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department (HR and CE) into the temple.

As he approached the sanctum, he was seen getting into the intermediary space leading to the sanctum sanctorum near the deity, Aandal. However, the priests ask him to step out from the inner chamber. This video triggered claims that the composer was denied entry because he hails from the Dalit community.

Denying that he was insulted at the temple, Ilayaraja clarified in a post on X, “Some people are spreading false rumours centred around me. I am not one to compromise my self-respect at any time or place, and I will not compromise. They are spreading news that did not happen as if it happened. Fans and the public should not believe these rumours.”

Later the HR and CE department also clarified about the protocol saying that except the priests and Jeeyar, no one else is allowed to get into the inner chamber leading to the sanctum sanctorum. The department clarified that at the Andal Sannidhi or the Andal section of the temple, the devotees are allowed to offer prayers only from the Vasantha Mandapam. It is a pavilion outside the Artha Mandapam, which is the intermediary space.

Ilayaraja had visited the temple ahead of the release of his composition Divya Pasuram, a compilation of the Tamil verses written by the 12 Alvars in praise of Goddess Andal. Ilayaraja himself has sung the first song in the album, which is written by Periyalvar.