Chennai: The Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), an alliance partner of DMK, came out against Tamil Nadu government's Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department for conducting Shivaratri Celebration in Kapaleeswarar temple in Chennai on March 1. 


According to IANS, in a statement on Friday, VCK's Vanni Arasu said, it is dangerous that the state government conducts religious festivals. HR&CE is a department for the purpose of managing temples and the department should just confine to overseeing the temple management.


Taking a harder tone against the ally, Vanni Arasu said, DMK formed the government by showcasing secular credentials. However, now is it taking this position to please RSS and BJP, he asked. 


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The DMK government should not organise events for propagating any religion since it will give a wrong message to the people of Tamil Nadu, he said. 


The HR&CE Department has scheduled music, dance and other festivities on the Shivaratri day at Kapaleeswarar temple. 


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Meanwhile, Isha Yoga Centre is planning a grand Mahashivaratri festival this year at the Isha Yoga Centre in Coimbatore. The festival that is expected to start at 6 Pm on March 1 is expected to go on till 6 Am the next day. The program will be held in the presence of Sadhguru and the event will be live-streamed online. The events will be telecast on major television channels in English, Tamil, Kannada, Telugu and other regional languages. 


The Mahashivaratri is a traditional festival celebrating the Grace of Lord Shiva across India.