Athi Varadar darshanam has entered 25 days and the 48-day festival come to close on 17 August. When all arrangements are in place for burying the idol in temple tank after 17 August, there came a confusion. Sadagopa Ramanuja jeeyar of Srivilliputhur Manavala Mamunigagal Mutt, in Virudhunagar district, on Monday, said, "Athi Varadar idol (on display in Kancheepuram) should not be buried again.”
He said that his statement is based on the plea made by the deity in in the dream of Sri Krishnapremi Anna Swamigal, when the idol was brought out after a gap of 40 years.He appealed to the chief minister, deputy chief minister, HR&CE department and other ministers to take measures to ensure that the idol is not buried again.This has received mixed reactions.
The Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami after visiting the temple said Aagama Sastras will be followed in the issue. Priests and devotees in Kanchipuram say that he should be buried in temple tank as per the traditions. He is not an exhibition material, they say.
