The ‘Brahma ratham’ honour was performed amidst tight police security at Srirangam Sri Ranganathaswamy temple on Saturday.
The honour is given to a Bhattar, involved in the recital of Vedas at the Vraja Nadhi during the course of Vaikunta Ekadasi festival as convention, every year.
The Bhattar is taken in a palanquin in a procession by other priests from the temple to residence in recognition of his services.
After the “Theerthavari” rituals were completed, temple honours were presented to Tiruvenkata Parasara Bhattar, marking the commencement of the “Brahma ratham” procession.
Raising objection to the use of palanquin, a cross-section of members of various organisations and parties including Dravidar Kazhagam, Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam, and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi marched down from the Rajagopuram, raising slogans against the “Brahma ratham”.
The police prevented them and removed a total of 56 volunteers from the spot. They were lodged in a private marriage hall at Tiruvanaikovil. Those courted arrest included Sekar, District president of Dravidar Kazhagam, Saravanan, District secretary of the Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam and Arasu, District secretary of VCK.
Theerthavari
Earlier, amidst religious fervour, the “theerthavari” was performed at the Chandrapushkarani of the temple, marking the 10th-day rituals of the Irapaththu festival of the Vaikunta Ekadasi festival.
Namperumal was taken out from the sanctum sanctorum at 9 a.m. and witnessed the ‘Theerthavari’ at about 10.30 a.m. Namperumal was later taken to Tirumamani mandapam.