People of all castes are already priests in temples since ancient times, says L. Murugan

Tamil Nadu BJP president L. Murugan on Sunday said the party welcomed the initiative of the State government to consider appointing people of all castes, including women as priests in temples in the S

Tamil Nadu BJP president L. Murugan on Sunday said the party welcomed the initiative of the State government to consider appointing people of all castes, including women as priests in temples in the State. Mr. Murugan, however said since ancient times people of all castes, both men and women, have been priests in Tamil Nadu. He said people from Scheduled Castes alone are priests in the Bodyguard Muneeswarar temple and Vatlagundu Idamayan temple, Sembadavars are in Melmalayanur Angala Parameswari temple, Kuyavars in Paingaadu Ayyanar temple, Nadars in Virudhunagar Adiparasakti temple and Kurangani Muthumaalai temple, Velalars in Trichy Ugrakaliamman temple. Vanniars in Chinnaselam Beerangi Ayyanar temple, Kalvanthangam Angalamman temple, Siruvachur Madhurakaliamman temple, Pandarams in Thiruthervalai Annaandha Bhadrakali temple and Karur Thottakurichi Malayamman temple, Odhuvaar in Kulasekarapatnam Gnanamoortheeswar temple, Mukkulathors in Sankarankoil Udayanayaki temple and Vannaar in Periyamalai Aaladiyaan temple.