G Chandrasekhar, the legal counsel of the Podhu Dikshitars, who are the hereditary archakas of the Nataraja Temple in Chidambaram, today (26 June) said that a malicious campaign is being undertaken against them over the issue of not allowing devotees to climb up the Kanagasabhai mandapam.

He said that this restriction was imposed due to the large number of people coming to the temple on the occasion of Aani Thirumanjanam festival.

Further, he said that this restriction has been followed since time immemorial. He alleged that a Dikshitar who was expelled from the committee was behind the campaign.

Regarding an order issued by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HRCE) department regarding allowing devotees in the area and a statement by an officer of the department stating that she was obstructed from doing her duty in the temple premises, Chandrasekhar said that the department had no authority over the temple.

Officials of the HRCE department and police have now removed the board.

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