Tamil Nadu's Thalavetti Muniyappan Temple is Buddhist site, says Madras HC; halts further pooja

A Hindu religious site in Tamil Nadu’s Salem district, long considered to be a village deity, revealed to be idol of Buddha. HC issues order of no more religious practice on site after state Archaeological Survey submits report Chennai: The Thalavetti Muniyappan Temple Site in Tamil Nadu’s Salem, has, for long, been a site of Hindu pilgrimage. Subsequently, as per a report by Live Law, the Madras High Court directed the Archaeological Department to take control of the property situated at Kottai Road, Periyeru Village, Salem, at the same time, halting any further pooja from being conducted within the premises of the site. The report stated that Justice Anand Venkatesh observed that allowing Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment department to continue treating the sculpture as that of Thalaivettu Muniappan would be against Buddhist doctrines. The bench of Justice N Anand Venkatesh observed that “After inspecting the sculpture and carefully examining the available archaeological and historical evidences at our disposal, the Committee collectively expressed their opinion that the sculpture depicts several mahalakshanas of the Buddha.” As per a report in the Times of India, Justice N Anand Venkatesh further added that the HR&CE department shall erect a board inside the property by depicting the sculpture inside the property as Buddha.