Non-Brahmin Priests In Tamil Nadu Seek Permission To Enter Sanctum, Participate In Consecration
The Priests stated that although they were officially appointed as archakas in 2021, they have only been allowed to perform pujas at shrines of Lord Ganesa and Navagrahas within temple complex.
Two non-Brahmin priests at Kumaravayalur Subramania Swamy temple have alleged that they have been denied entry into the sanctum sanctorum since their appointment in 2021. With the temple’s Kumbabishekam (consecration ceremony) scheduled for February 19, 2025, the priests, Prabhu and Jayapal, have urged the authorities to ensure their participation in rituals and sacred duties.
The duo, who were appointed under the Tamil Nadu government's initiative to train and employ priests from all Hindu castes in state-run temples, submitted a formal representation to Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Minister P.K. Sekar Babu, and senior HR-CE officials, seeking intervention.
In their petition, they stated that although they were officially appointed as archakas on August 14, 2021, they have only been allowed to perform pujas at the shrines of Lord Ganesa and Navagrahas within the temple complex. "So far we have not been allowed to enter the sanctum of Lord Murugan and perform puja," they claimed, as per a report on PTI.
While the priests emphasised that they have been treated respectfully by devotees and have not faced discrimination from the public, they alleged that the temple's Sivacharyas (traditional hereditary priests) continue to deny them access to the inner sanctum.
The controversy brings renewed focus on the Tamil Nadu government’s push for inclusivity in temple priesthood, a policy that has faced resistance from certain quarters.
Meanwhile, the temple’s Sivacharyas were unavailable for immediate comment on the issue.
In 2023, 94 non-Brahmins, including three women, successfully completed priesthood training at archakar training schools across Tamil Nadu. These institutions, operated by the state's Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department, were established to promote inclusivity in temple practices.
Among the graduates, the women aspired to perform rituals inside temple sanctums. However, despite completing the training, her entry into the sanctum sanctorum remains uncertain, highlighting the social barriers that still exist in religious spaces, as per a report on The Print in 2024.
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