Ilaiyaraja prevented from entering a renowned temple. Music director Ilaiyaraja got a huge shock of his life, when the temple authorities of Srivilliputhur Andal Temple denied him permission to enter into the sanctum sanctorium. Ilaiyaraja decided to have a darshan of the diety ahead of his composition ‘Divya Pasuram’.
Ilaiyaraja along with Sri Satakopa Ramanuja Jeeyar and Sri Tridandi Srimannarayana Ramanuja Chinna Jeeyar Swami of the Sri Andal Jeeyar Mutt was received by the temple authorities according to the protocol by joint commissioner K Sellathurai of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department.
While Ilaiyaraja along with some priests proceeded to the temple’s key sanctums, including the Andal Sannidhi (sanctum), Nandavanam (temple garden), and Periya Perumal Sannidhi he was prevented from the authorities. Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department official said “At the Andal Sannidhi, devotees typically offer prayers from the Vasantha Mandapam, a pavilion located outside the Arthamandapam — the intermediary space leading to the sanctum sanctorum. When Ilaiyaraja, along with the senior priests, approached the entrance of the Arthamandapam, priests informed him that entry beyond the Vasantha Mandapam was restricted. Consequently, Ilaiyaraja offered his prayers from the designated area,”