TN Governor airs concern over sale of meat and non-veg food near famous Shiva temple

Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi has taken exception to presence of non-vegetarian restaurants along the Girivalam path of the famous Arunachaleswarar Temple in Tiruvannamalai after his two-day visit to the town.

Ravi, who has a penchant for needling the DMK government, issued a statement at the end of his visit during which he paid obeisance before Lord Shiva at his famous abode. In the statement issued by the Raj Bhavan, Ravi said he was saddened to see absence of adequate toilets and the presence of shops and restaurants selling meat and serving non-vegetarian food along the holy Girivalam and within close vicinity of the temple.

“Devotees shared their deeply felt pain at it. While I do believe that food is entirely a personal choice and it must be so, we must be respectful to the sentiments of millions of devotees of the Lord Arunachaleswarar".

R N Ravi

Girivalam is a 14-km circumambulation path covered by devotees on foot, especially on a full moon day. Thousands of devotees from across Tamil Nadu and elsewhere throng Tiruvannamalai on the full moon day every month to walk along the path.

During an interaction with the Governor, sadhus who live in Tiruvannamalai expressed concern over serving of non-vegetarian food along the Girivalam path and urged his intervention in the issue.

The governor also visited students, organic farmers, entrepreneurs, including social and ecological entrepreneurs, NGOs, business leaders, tribal leaders, cultural and religious leaders and devotees.