Devanathan Gurukkal (also known as Devanathan Subramaniam) served as a hereditary priest, or gurukkal , at the (often referred to as the Machchewarar Temple), a smaller shrine located in the ancient city of Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu.
Harish Gurukkal Temple Pooja in Kanchipuram - Astrologers - Justdial
: Staggering stone carvings and a sprawling 23-acre complex that serves as a cornerstone of South Indian spirituality. Controversies and Legal Case
मिलिए इस पुजारी. से नाम है देवनाथ सुब्रमण्यम गुरु कल उम्र करीब 36. साल कांचीपुरम के इस मंदिर में पुजारी था देवनाथ भगवान की देखरेख. YouTube·ABP NEWS Pujari turns villain, films women and blackmails them
The most disturbing element was the location. Devanathan allegedly did not hide his actions; he brought women into the garbhagriha —the sanctum sanctorum, the holiest of holies where the principal deity resides. This inner chamber is considered the spiritual heart of the temple, a space reserved for the divine presence, not for the profane acts of which he was accused.
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Devanathan surrendered before the Judicial Magistrate Court I in Kanchipuram on November 16, 2009.
The scandal caused unimaginable distress to the local community in Kanchipuram, a city known globally as a premier pilgrimage destination with millions of devotees visiting revered sites like the Ekambareswarar and Kamakshi Amman temples. The desecration of the sanctum sanctorum, the holiest part of a Hindu shrine, deeply offended the religious sentiments of the public. It sparked intense debates regarding the vetting of temple priests, the sanctity of religious institutions, and the vulnerability of devotees placing their trust in religious figures.
Following the circulation of the digital evidence, the Sivakanchi police registered a formal criminal case against Devanathan. Realizing that the police were closing in on him, Devanathan went into hiding before ultimately surrendering: Legal Milestone Details & Developments
Years of meditative practice to ensure that the prayers offered on behalf of devotees carry genuine spiritual weight.
It was in this very sanctum that Devanathan Gurukkal, a 35‑ to 36‑year‑old priest of the temple, committed the acts that would later send shockwaves through the community.
During the investigation, multiple complaints were filed, including a detailed statement from a local resident who accused the priest of drugging, assaulting, and subsequently blackmailing her using the recorded footage. 3. Arrest and Legal Proceedings
Passing on the complex oral traditions of the Vedas to the next generation of temple sevaks.
The Kanchipuram Devanathan Gurukkal has its roots in ancient times, with its history dating back to the period of the great Hindu sage, Adi Shankaracharya. According to legend, Adi Shankaracharya, who is credited with reviving Hinduism in the 8th century CE, established the Devanathan Gurukkal as a center of learning and spiritual growth. Over the centuries, the institution has continued to thrive, with each successive generation of gurukkal (head of the institution) contributing to its growth and development.
Conducting daily pujas, scriptural chants, and rituals for devotees.