Tension prevailed at Valavampatti village in Gandharvakottai taluk in Pudukottai district on Saturday following a problem that arose between SC Adi Dravidar and caste Hindu communities over performing ‘mandagapadi’ ritual in a Ayyanar temple that comes under the control of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department.
The problem between the two communities eventually led to the suspension of the temple festival. Police personnel have been deployed in the village. The 10-day festival at the temple began a few days ago and was to conclude on July 26. The problem arose on the ninth day on Saturday over performing ‘mandagapadi’ by the SC Adi Dravidar community.
The police said the caste Hindus had opposed the performing of the mandagapadi ritual by the SC Adi Dravidar community triggering tension. A section of Adi Dravidar community people staged a road roko on the Pudukottai-Thanjavur national highway warranting police intervention. The festival was suspended as the opposition continued.
An official of the HR & CE department reportedly took away the metal idol from the temple as there was no solution. This apparently provoked the caste Hindus to stage a road roko on the highway later. They gave up their stir after the idol was brought back to the temple, the sources said.
Published - July 26, 2026 10:56 pm IST