DHARMAPURI: “I want to see the car festival once again before I die,” is the deep yearning of ageing Karuvooran of Erupalli village. He is not a loner as it is the desire of many others not only in his hamlet but in the neighbourhood. For the last 67 years, the festival at the centuries-old Sri Chamundeeswari temple is being held hostage by the fierce resistance of caste Hindus to the participation of Dalits.
“The last time it was held in 1948,” reminisces the old man in his sunset years. Even then, it had its share of problems which continue to bedevil the festival. “That time it was held with heavy police protection following a quarrel between Dalits and caste Hindus,” he recalled.
Earlier, Dalits used to carry the umbrella for the ‘Urchavar’ (processional deity) during the festival. Further, they played a significant role in the celebrations. But, in 1948 some of the caste Hindus raised an objection to the participation of Dalits which lead to a quarrel. “That brought the curtains down on the car festival,” Karuvooran bemoaned.
Located between Erupalli and Nagathasampatti village, the temple is common for all the twelve villages and they join together to celebrate the festival. As such, goddess chamundeeswari is special to all the communities in these villages - Vanniyars, Gownders, Boyars, Kunchidigar, and Adi Dravidars - in Nallampalli block.
“Not only Dalits, Vanniyars too continued to be discriminated in the post-independent period,” said Raman, a senior priest. The festival which commences in the Tamil month ‘Avani’ would continue till ‘Aipassi’. And, during Dasara special rituals would be performed. But, all these have become a thing of the past which we could only recollect from our memories, he said.
“Why we have to forsake our rights over the temple. We won’t. We want equal rights over the temple,” said a Dalit youth in the village.
Local people want the district administration to conduct a peace meeting among leaders of all communities to revive the festival.
When contacted, the response of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments department was, “We will look into the issue immediately. If they submit a proper petition, we will take steps to conduct festival.”