In a poignant act of devotion intertwined with personal strife, a 65-year-old retired Indian Army officer has pledged his property valued at ₹4 crore to the Arulmigu Renugambal Amman Temple in Tamil Nadu’s Tiruvannamalai district. This significant donation came about after S Vijayan, who has spent nearly a decade living alone following his separation from his wife, faced increasing pressure from his two daughters to transfer his assets to them.
The unexpected donation unfolded during a routine bi-monthly collection of offerings at the temple, located near Arani town. Temple officials were taken aback when they discovered legal documents pertaining to a parcel of land measuring 10 cents and a single-storey house near the shrine, along with a handwritten note that expressed Vijayan’s intention to transfer the property to the temple.
Vijayan, a native of Kesavapuram village and a lifelong devotee of the temple, emerged from a private struggle where he claims he has not received support from his daughters, who currently live in Chennai and Vellore. Speaking to local media, Vijayan shared, “I was humiliated by my children even for daily expenses. I will not go back on my word. After consulting temple officials, I will legally transfer my properties to the temple.”
While the act of dropping the property documents into the temple hundi signifies his intent, it does not confer legal ownership to the temple automatically. The situation has been reported to senior officials from the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department, who are currently safeguarding the documents until a formal registration can be completed. M Silambarasan, the Executive Officer of the temple, explained, “The devotee has to register it with the department for the temple to legally claim the property.”
This unusual gesture not only underscores Vijayan’s disconnection from familial bonds but also emphasizes his steadfast commitment to his faith. The story has ignited discussions online surrounding elder care, property rights, and the emotional burdens stemming from familial disputes in Indian society.
