) at Kanchipuram’s most famous temples, here is an overview of the traditions they uphold. The Sacred Custodians of Kanchipuram

" and is a major religious hub. Because of the city's religious significance, legal cases involving temple staff, such as the "VAZHAKKU" (crime story) status reports on controversial priests, often receive significant media attention from outlets like Thanthi TV Puthiyathalaimurai TV

Kanchipuram Devanathan Gurukkal is widely regarded as one of the last living Śrauta specialists (a Śrautin or Vaideka ) who can perform the entire corpus of Vedic rituals—from the daily Agnihotra to complex Soma sacrifices ( Agnishtoma , Jyotishtoma ) with exacting, unbroken fidelity. He is not a philosopher or a popular preacher; he is a ritualist ( Karmayogi ) in the truest Pūrva-Mīmāṃsā tradition.

: Devanathan Gurukkal, a priest at the Varadaraja Perumal Temple , was accused of inappropriate behavior inside the temple premises.

: Devanathan recorded his actions using a mobile phone and hidden cameras. The entire operation unraveled when his mobile device suffered a technical malfunction. He took the phone to a local repair shop in Kanchipuram, where a technician discovered the extensive library of explicit videos and subsequently leaked them to the public and local media outlets. The Victims and Allegations

In the ancient, temple-lined streets of , where the scent of jasmine and woodsmoke hangs heavy in the air, lived Devanathan Gurukkal

The specific he is associated with (e.g., "Kanchi Kamakshi temple priest" or "Kailasanathar temple Gurukkal").

Following the rape allegations, the case was transferred from the town police to the District Crime Branch for a more thorough investigation. Devanathan was remanded to judicial custody and lodged in the Vellore prison. Cases were filed against him under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including those for deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings.

The revelation caused immediate distress among local devotees and the broader public, who viewed the actions as a desecration of the sacred space. Public protests occurred outside the temple, leading to demands for immediate legal action against the priest and an investigation into temple management. Legal Actions and Surrender

: He reportedly recorded these activities on his mobile phone. The scandal came to light after he took the phone to a local mechanic for repairs, who discovered the footage and began circulating it on CDs.

The incident remains a frequent reference point in discussions regarding the modernization of temple management, the accountability of religious authorities, and the legal limits of state intervention in religious traditions.

Gurukkal was deeply concerned about the erosion of Vedic traditions and the decline of Vedic knowledge in modern India. He took it upon himself to preserve and promote the traditional Vedic way of life, particularly among the younger generation. To this end, he established several institutions, including the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, which aimed to promote Vedic education, spirituality, and culture.

: Investigating officers discovered that the priest regularly locked the inner temple doors under the pretext of conducting private rituals. While devotees stood outside waiting for holy water and darshan , Devanathan was inside exploiting women.