Police in Tirunelveli arrested a biryani shop owner after a complaint over a banner showing Lord Ganesha eating biryani. The case surfaced during Vinayaka Chaturthi celebrations, and further investigation is under way.
A biryani shop owner was arrested in Tamil Nadu’s Tirunelveli after a complaint alleged that a banner outside his shop, featuring an image of Lord Ganesha eating biryani, hurt religious sentiments.
Police arrested 30-year-old Jayanth, the owner of the shop, on Sunday after 42-year-old Selvaraj filed a complaint alleging that the depiction of the Hindu deity was disrespectful and offensive.
The arrest comes as Tamil Nadu celebrates Vinayaka Chaturthi, with elaborate festivities, temple rituals and public installations taking place across the state.
According to the complaint, the banner displayed outside the biryani shop featured an image depicting Lord Ganesha eating biryani.
Selvaraj alleged that the depiction was disrespectful to Lord Ganesha and had hurt religious sentiments. Following the complaint, police launched an investigation and arrested Jayanth. Further investigation is underway.
VINAYAKA CHATURTHI CELEBRATIONS UNDERWAY
Across Tamil Nadu, Vinayaka Chaturthi celebrations have been marked by special prayers, elaborate decorations and distinctive Ganesha idols.
At Chennai’s historic Kapaleeswarar Temple, celebrations began with an early-morning Ganapathy Homam. The Narthana Vinayagar idol was given a ritual bath before being decorated with a gold kavacham, drawing devotees to the temple.
In Madurai, the imposing 7-foot Mukkuruni Vinayagar at the Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple was the focus of celebrations, with priests preparing a giant Mukkuruni Kozhukattai, a traditional rice-flour sweet offered to the deity.
At Tiruchirappalli, thousands of devotees climbed the 417 steps to the Ucchi Pillayar Temple atop Rockfort. The shrine also began its 14-day Peruvizha festival with a 25-kg Kozhukattai offering.
UNIQUE GANESHA IDOLS ACROSS TAMIL NADU
The festival has also featured a range of unusual and eco-friendly installations. A Ganesha idol made from 51,000 rudraksha beads was among the attractions in Tiruvannamalai, while a dharba-grass idol was installed in Madurai.
In Coimbatore, one Ganesha idol was adorned with a garland made from Rs 5 lakh worth of Rs 500 currency notes. In Chennai’s T Nagar, another idol made using currency coins drew attention.
Several public pandals have also taken inspiration from popular culture and mythology. In Denkanikottai, an elaborate Vinayakar stage was themed on the film ‘Kantara-2’.
