Devotees worried over conduct of Kandasashti festival at Kandakottam temple

Devotees of the Sri Muthukumaraswamy Temple, popularly known as Kandhakottam in Rattan Bazaar in Park Town, are worried about the conduct of the Kandasashthi festival this year.

“Usually, tickets for the Laksharcharnai during the annual festival are sold just after Vijayadasami. Till date, the administration has not started selling tickets. Every year around 35,000 tickets each priced at ₹300 are sold to devotees who want to participate in the archanai that is slated to start on November 10. There is no sign of the conduct of the festival so far,” said A. B. Srinivasan, a 65-year-old devotee.

Saravanan, another devotee, said that this year would be the 99^th consecutive year of the Kandasashthi festival during which grand concerts would be held. “Participants of the archanai would be given prasadam including a bucket. Tenders for procuring various items such as pandals, coconuts, bags, and flowers are yet to be called for. We hear that the executive officer has gone on leave and another person has taken charge,” he said.

The over 500-year-old shrine, is a scheme temple, meaning it belongs to a particular community – in this case, the Berri Chettis. A five-member team was chosen from the community as trustees last year and they have also been in charge of the daily running of the temple.

Sendilvellan, one of the trustees, said that the executive officer had taken away cheque signatory powers from the trustees and the trustees were unable to pay salaries even. “He has gone to the bank and taken signatory powers without informing us. We seem to have absolutely no powers in the day-to-day running of the temple. The court had directed the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments department to interfere only if there was any problem relating to the conduct of the temple. From last year, we have been managing the temple without any problems,” he said.

Another trustee said that with just a few days left for the festival they have been running from pillar to post trying to get the powers back and conduct it. Sources in the HR&CE Department said they will look into the matter.