CHENNAI: Nathamedu, a non-descript village near Tirunindravur in Tiruvallur district, is all set to be the hall of fame for MGR fans, as it would house the first temple that would have a concecrated statute of ‘Makkal Thilagam’ M G Ramachandran.It would be thrown open to public on Monday.The consecration (kumbhabhishekam) of Arulmigu MGR Aalayam, situated about 40 km from Chennai, will be conducted as per Hindu customs on Monday. The function is expected to be witnessed by thousands of MGR fans from across the southern states.“The temple will have three statues of MGR,” said L Kalaivanan, a die-hard fan of the former chief minister who conceived the idea of a temple for the Makkal Thilagam. “A six-feet tall idol is placed in the sanctum sanctorum, besides a two-feet idol inside the temple. Another idol is erected on the gopuram.” Like the tens of thousands of MGR fans, Kalaivanan sees the star, who dominated the celluloid and politics of Tamil Nadu for nearly half-a-century, as God. He said that the temple has been constructed at a cost of Rs 21.5 lakh, of which Rs 1.5 lakh was contributed by MGR fans. It spreads over an area of 1,600 sq feet.The temple would have a priest for performing poojas to the MGR idol and anadhanam has also been planned during the birth and death anniversaries of the late leader.Interestingly, Chennai housed a temple of MGR in 1989. According to Solai Narayanan, president of Anaithu MGR Podhu Nala Sangam, a die-hard devotee named Vijaya Kumar had constructed the temple at GKM Colony in Villivakkam. However, it was demolished as the structure was built on a pavement, he added.Recollecting that small temples were constructed for MGR in southern districts such as Karaikudi and Thoothukudi, he said, “MGR is the only political leader from Tamil Nadu, whose statues have been unveiled in Malaysia and Rathanapura in Kandy district in Sri Lanka.” Rathanapura in the neighbouring island nation is the birthplace of MGR,” he added.
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