CUDDALORE: Priests brought to the Devanathasamy temple for performing Kumbhabihisekam, scheduled for April 25, were attacked in Thiruvantheeswaram near Cuddalore on Thursday evening. They were replacements for a priest who was suspended on Thursday by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department.Neelamegan Bhattacharya (85), who served as the temple priest for more than 50 years, was given retirement recently. An Hindu Religious &Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) source said, “As per the HR&CE norm, those who cross 60 years cannot continue as temple priest. Since Neelamegan Battacharya crossed the age limit, we asked him to retire.”Subsequently, Neelamegan’s son Narashiman Bhattacharya on Wednesday was given an appointment order as the next temple priest. But for unknown reasons, Narashiman was given a suspension order on the very next day. Sources said, “There are a lot of allegations against Narashiman. Hence, the HR&CE department took this decision.”Meanwhile, by Thursday evening, three priests of the Uppiliyappan temple were brought to the Devanathasamy temple by the HR&CE officials to conduct poojas. The car in which the three priests were travelling was blocked at Thiruvantheeswaram and attacked allegedly by Narashiman Bhattacharya’s supporters. The car was surrounded by more than 100 people. They suffered injuries.Dhuvaranatha Bhattacharya, one of the three priests, lodged a complaint with the Thirupapuliyur police station. Hindu Religious andCharitable Endowments Department assistant commissioner Bharanidharan visited the spot.Sources said Dhuvaranatha Bhattacharya had been given an appointment order as the next priest.People of Thiruvantheeswaram said, “Whatever may be the problem, we should solve it after the festival.” Lakhs of people are expected to attend the Kumbhabihisekam.
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