After a gap of 60 years, the western gate of Vaikuntapathi Perumal Temple here was thrown open on Wednesday following the initiative of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department officials.
Encroachment in the form a wall blocking the gateway was removed to give access to the devotees to the historical temple.
Now, the devotees feel a sigh of relief as the reopened gate will facilitate their easy movement into the temple, especially during ‘Vaikunta Ekadasi’ festival on Thursday.
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Assistant Superintendent of Police, Tuticorin (Town), P. Arun Sakthi Kumar opened the western gate in the presence of HR&CE Department officials.
A large number of devotees were expected to enter the ‘Sorga Vasal’ at 6 p.m. on Thursday.
This gateway, as an additional exit point, would ease the movement of crowds, Temple Executive Officer S. Ajith told
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Efforts were under way to renovate the gateway.
The officials were thinking of performing kumbabishekam of the temple, which was last performed 13 years ago.
Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) State joint secretary and Madurai district president Chinmaya R. Somasundaram said a dharna staged by the VHP members here three months ago drew the attention of the officials towards this issue.
The VHP functionaries attempted to demolish the wall, which blocked the gateway.
They dispersed only after the officials told them that the move would disturb religious harmony, he added.
He said the seven-foot-tall gate was made during the rule of Pandya kings.
Initially, Vaishnavite saints celebrated festivals in the temple and later it was thrown open to all sects of Hindus, he added.