Three staff of Sri Arunachaleswarar Temple have been suspended on charges of dereliction of duty while organising the temple car procession that was held during the Karthigai Mahadeepam Festival.
Temple Manager Indirajith, Supervisor Dwarakanath and Festival and Renovation Clerk Swamikannu were placed under suspicion for being careless during the temple car processions on November 24. The pedestal of the chariot of Lord Murugan developed crack soon after it was taken out in procession from the Raja Gopuram.
Temple authorities and police personnel immediately halted the procession to avert further damage to the temple car. It took nearly two hours to fix the problem and resume the procession.
Joint Commissioner and Executive Officer of the temple, A T Paranjothi, said that the three staff members were placed under suspension since December 7 following an inquiry into the incident.
“The three staff have been suspended on charges of dereliction of duty. We have sought an explanation from them. Based on the explanation, we will take further action,” said Paranjothi.
They were initiating steps to repair and renovate temple cars with the help of experts to avert similar incidents in the future, he added.