CHENNAI: Devotees in the Iyengar section clashed with each other in front of Varadharaja Perumal Temple in Kancheepuram on Thursday. The Vadakalai and the Thenkalai sects, connected with the temple engaged in a bitter feud after accusing each section of singing hymns that are banned in the temple.

It has been a religiously followed tradition in the temple to sing hymns on special occasions. The video of the incident has gone viral on social media. Earlier there was a dispute between the two sections of the temple over the chanting of the 4000 Divine Prabantam hymns.

A case is pending in the court against the chanting of Prabantam hymns. Therefore, the Thenkalai sect demanded that the hymn should not be sung. This led to a heated exchange between the two groups and that morphed into a physical fight within no time.

In the video shared, devotees can be seen exchanging punches. Somebody is also heard saying ‘Koniduveen’ which means ‘will kill you’.

Similar problems existed in the temple last May and June. The dispute that day was over the pronunciation of the Vedas. Varadaraja Perumal Temple in Kancheepuram is a temple that comes under the 108 Vaishnava Divya Desam.

Athigiri Varadar Vaibavam is the main event of the temple which is performed every 40 years, where it is performed to awaken lord Vishu from his slumber. The festivities last 48 days after which it is immersed in the water and stored for the next 40 years.