A video of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin’s wife taking cover from rain by using the temple deity’s umbrella has gone viral on social media.

On 9 December 2022, Chief Minister Stalin’s wife Durga visited the Vadivudai Amman Temple in Thiruvottiyur, Chennai, for having darshan. The temple administration honored her with special treatment.

As it was raining on that day, the temple officials covered Durga Stalin with the umbrella normally used for the procession of the temple deity. The temple’s deity Vadivudai Amman was, however, covered with a normal black colored umbrella.

This video of Durga Stalin using the temple deity’s umbrella has drawn flak from the devotees and general public, who criticized Durga Stalin for abusing power as CM’s wife and acting against the “Agamas” of the temple.

A massive controversy erupted in #TamilNadu after Chief Minister #MKStalin's wife, Durga Stalin, was found leaving a temple in #Chennai with the umbrella used for the deity.

It should be noted that a sizable number of HR&CE officials and police officers were present at the temple as a result of her visit.

Shefali Vaidya @ShefVaidya who is an award-winning independent writer, newspaper columnist and social media influencer also tweeted about this incident saying, "Disgusting. Made in China cheap umbrella used for the deity, the deity umbrella used for TN CM Stalin’s wife! HRNCE is not only corrupt, it is morally and ethically bankrupt!"

The Vadivudai Amman temple lies in northern Chennai in Tiruvottiyur. It is also called the Thyagaraja Temple and is dedicated to Shiva. The presiding deity is in the form of Swayambhu (self-manifested) Shiva Lingam called Sri Aadhi Pureeswarar. The Goddess is Vadivudai Amman, a very powerful Goddess in the form of Gnana Shakthi (wisdom and knowledge). The temple has been praised in Tevaram hymns by the Saiva Nayanars (7th-century Tamil poets) and has been categorized as a Paadal Petra Sthalam. There are 276 Shaivite temples or Punyasthalas selected as Paadal Petra Sthalams based on their antiquity, the rich culture, and the reverence attached to the temple.

All three Thevaram Moovars (Appar, Samandar, and Sundarar) have rendered Thevaram songs in the temple. This is one among the 44 Paadal Petra Sthalams, where all the Moovars have rendered their Pathigams. The temple is one of the 51 Shakti Peetams in the country. Great poets and scholars have eulogized the temple, affirming the splendor of India’s rich tradition and spirituality. The temple is managed by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu.

References:

thecommunemag.com