Yagyaraman Mahadevan

Me and Madhu had been to Tiruchendhur on the last week of April.

That trip made me little confused or rather should I say disturbed for few moments. Had been to the temple couple of times when i was young. This is the first time me and Madhu alone had gone. Appa warned saying in temple it is only about money that would take close to God. I also heard comment like “If you are ready to pay more money there they might also give the God to you and ask to return next day after pooja at home“. I initially thought that to be an exaggarated comment.

The fact there was worse. As soon as we entered the main mandapam saw a guy who walked and said “Ten thirtykku thirai sathuva athukulla swamiya pakkalam. Vip entrance 100 rupees.”. If we had to stand, it would easily take more than an hour. It was twenty minutes for ten thirty. So did not want to take chance and said OK to him. He almost ran in front of us saying it would be late and be fast. Every sannidhi he spoke with the security or the poojari there and in the main place he spoke with supervisor there. We both sat right in front of Murugar with Thanga Kappu. It was a good experience to be so close to deity and witness that.

Everything was money there. Finished seeing all main sannidhis and he came out before us to get Prasadham as that would also be closed early. We both came out after rounding the Pragaram and after ten minutes he brought prasadham and without any standing in queue.

After visiting temple usually we feel a sense of completeness and peace and energy but here I also felt guilty and bad for the state of affrairs there.