TWO DHIKSHIDARS OF CHIDAMBARAM NATARAJA TEMPLE TESTS POSITIVE FOR COVID-19 - POLICE ENTERS TEMPLE!

2 Priests (Dhikshadars) at Cuddalore district’s Chidambaram Natrajar temple have tested positive for the novel coronavirus. The government has restricted the number of priests fearing a further spread; however, large priests conducting rituals were refusing to step out today.

Only 5 priests were allowed to be inside the premises today, for conducting the rituals. However, a large number of priests and local devotees were present, forcing the police to barge into the premises. They are currently interrogating with the priests and devotees.

On June 25th before the Thirumanjanam festival, the government had ordered 150 priests to undergo coronavirus test as a precautionary method, and had also announced that all 150 can take part upon negative results. Two of them who were to be present for the festival tested positive for the infection. Both the priests were admitted to a hospital facility. Following this, the entire temple was sanitised and only 5 priests were allowed to step in for conducting rituals.