BDO blocks Periyapalayam temple path, devotees irked

The Aadi festival, which commenced at the Bhavani Amman Temple on July 18, used to attract thousands of devotees every year. 

The festival, celebrated for 10 weekends, would draw devotees, especially women, not just from across Tamil Nadu, but also from neighbouring states of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.

During the festival time, worshippers come to the temple to fulfil their vows and to offer special prayers to the deity. 

But, recently the Tiruvallur district administration had blocked the way leading to the temple from the main road. Though the temple authorities wrote to the Collector over the issue several times, the issue remained unresolved.

Following this, the dispute reached the Chengalpattu court, which ruled in favour of the temple ordering that the land leading to the temple belonged to the shrine and devotees had the right to use it.

Also, an official in the rank of Joint Commissioner, attached to HRC&CE department, had ordered the removal of encroachments and to widen the road leading to the temple.  

In such a situation, when the first weekend celebration of Aadi festival was to commence, on Saturday, a team of officials led by Sheik Sadhakulla, Block Development Officer (BDO) of Ellapuram Block in Tiruvallur district, had blocked the road leading to the temple which prompted devotees, locals and temple officials to stage road roko.

Lokamitra, a temple official, told DTNEXT that at least 2.5 lakh devotees were expected to come to the temple on Saturday. 

Though court order was shown, the official was in no mood to clear the road. That explained why the road roko on Friday, said Lokamitra.

When contacted, the BDO refused to comment on the issue.