‘Our Temple, Our Right’: Rameswaram Local Devotees Protests over New Entry Rules, Demand Right to Free Worship

‘Our Temple, Our Right’: Rameswaram local devotees protests over new entry rules, demand right to free worship

Rameswaram: In a dramatic show of dissent, over 500 local devotees descended upon the sacred Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameswaram on June 17, 2025, protesting what they call the “commercialization of faith.” The demonstration, spearheaded by the People’s Welfare Council and supported by various community organizations, centered on the temple administration’s controversial decision to impose special darshan fees even on local residents—a sharp dep…

Protests Erupt At Rameswaram Ramanathaswamy Temple Over New Paid Darshan System - The Commune

Tensions flared at the historic Ramanathaswamy Temple as local residents clashed with authorities over the temple administration’s controversial decision to impose fees of ₹200-500 for accessing traditional worship routes. The controversy arose after the temple administration set up special barriers along the main path used by locals for darshan (worship) and introduced a fee of ₹200 and ₹500 for entry through these routes. This new policy has f…