Nagapattinam (Tamil Nadu): Two priests in this Tamil Nadu district have been suspended for decorating a temple's main deity in a churidar, reportedly going against traditions.

While the decoration was not derogatory, some devotees and officials of the shrine in Mayiladuthurai town said the goddess should be decorated only with a sari under the temple's rules.

The Mayooranathaswamy temple, built during the Chola period, is among the ancient Shiva temples located on the riverbed of the Cauvery.

The priests had gone about the decoration on February 2, an auspicious day in the Tamil month of Thai, as they had been encouraged by the positive response they had got to one done in Gujarati style on January 26, another propitious day.

But the move backfired after a photograph of the decoration went viral on social media, triggering criticism from a section of devotees.

On Monday, the head of the Thiruvavaduthurai Adheenam mutt, Ambalavana Desiga Paramacharya Swamigal, ordered the suspension of the two priests, temple officials said. PTI