Updated December 7th, 2018 at 22:12 IST

Madras high court Madurai bench stays meditation event organised by Art of Living at 1000-year-old temple in Tamil Nadu

The art of living was supposed to conduct a mega meditation camp event at the world famous UNESCO site Thanjavur Brahadeshwarar temple which is constructed by Chola dynasty king Raja Raja Cholan thousand years back which has its own heritage and architectural specialty and which is considered to be a wonder in Tamil Nadu.

Reported by: Sanjeevee Sadagopan
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The art of living was supposed to conduct a mega meditation camp event at the world famous UNESCO site Thanjavur Brihadeeswarar Temple which is constructed by Chola dynasty king Raja Raja Cholan thousand years back which has its own heritage and architectural specialty and which is considered to be a wonder in Tamil Nadu.

Art of Living Guru Sri Sri Ravishankar ji was also expected to participate in this two day event which was decided to happen on 7th and 8th of this month. They've also obtained permission from the HR&CE department of Tamil Nadu also from the department of Archeology in state & central level. They've also have erected a long curtain shelters and also a stage at the temple premises itself for the meditation event which has irked many.

Around 30 - 40 people from pro Tamil groups started their protest outside the Thanjavur temple demanding that the event should not happen inside the temple which will bring down the heritage of the 1000-year-old temple, the group members also told that the art of living has been held responsible for damage to the banks of Yamuna during a three day event which happened in 2016 and was also penalised by national green tribunal for 5 crores rupees for the damages. However, police have managed to clear the protesters in just few minutes, But the matter started spreading on air & the issue had become big since the temple is seen as a pride of the state.

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A PIL was also filed by a person named Venkat at the Madurai bench of Madras high court, seeking stay to the two day event,the petitioner mentioned that the event is permitted to happen inside the temple ground which will hinder other devotees and will disturb them,He also mentioned that this is the first time ,such a private event is happening inside the temple land itself & requested the court to stay it,

After listening to the plea, the Madurai bench of Madras high court had stayed the two-day meditation event camp arranged by AOL inside the Thanjavur Brihadeeswarar Temple.

However, the organisers of the event have told that they'll change the venue of the event and the meditation event will happen for sure, they've also told that these protests are motivated and told that would've not created any hindrance inside the temple except mediating under the place which is given for them.

However, this is seen as a set back for art of live after the  2016 three day event which happened on the banks of Yamuna river for also which they've faced the legal heat.

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Published December 7th, 2018 at 16:14 IST