Brihadeeswarar Temple - Beliefs
A visit to temple has political ruinous
inferences that have been seen many times through various events that have
happened. The main bad influence has been linked to King Rajaraja.
There is widespread belief that a visit to the temple
has politically disastrous implications – the claim is supported by a few
events. A visit to the temple for an event related to King Rajaraja by former
Prime Minister Indira Gandhi along with the then Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu M
G Ramachandran in 1984 was followed by bad course of events later for both the
leaders – Mrs. Gandhi was assassinated by her own bodyguards in October that
year, and MGR fell seriously ill with a stroke.
During the consecration (Kumbhabhishekam) of 1997, 48
people were killed in a fire accident and 86 others injured. The incident
occurred hours before the Mahakumbahbishekam ceremony. It is believed a fire
cracker lit near the temple fell on the Yagasala; a temporary structure built
to accommodate the ritual ceremonies, and sparked the fire that spread to the
thatched roofs.
A stampede resulted when the panic-stricken devotees
rushed the only entrance to the temple on the eastern side. However, another
version claimed the fire was caused by a spark from the electric generator.
Most of the deaths were reported be caused by the
inhalation of carbon monoxide and a few due to burn injuries. The Tamil Nadu
Government announced a compensation of Rs 100,000 to the families of the deceased
and the injured were paid from Rs 10,000 to Rs 50,000 each.
Following the taboo, Karunanidhi, visited the site of
the fire accident via the side entrance. He denied the report stating he does
not subscribe to the belief. He also added that he had used a side entrance to
the temple instead of the main one while visiting the accident spot, the way by
which he was escorted by police officials. Contrary to belief he believed he
had scored resounding political victories after his earlier visits to the temple.