As millions across Tamil Nadu boiled the traditional Pongal pot and prayed to the Sun God, Karthik and his family assembled in a 700-square-foot temple dedicated entirely to the “Thalaivar.” Situated in Thirumangalam near Madurai, rather than a room wall hanging up with posters, this special shrine is a temple full of a huge 300-kg stone idol of the superstar.
A Temple Built on Devotion
So the temple that became a local landmark features an idol of Rajinikanth in his iconic pose from the 1989 movie Mappillai. The statue is framed with a classical brass prabhavalli arch and even features a jaldhara, usually reserved for Shiva Lingams. For Karthik, the metamorphosis from fan to devotee took place in 1999, when he thought a prayer to the actor had gotten him into the security forces.
"For us, Rajinikanth is God. He is a guiding light for millions," Karthik spoke about during the Pongal ceremonies. This year’s party was especially moving because it came as a result of a personal meeting with the superstar earlier on in the month. The family conducted a special abhishekam (ritual bathing) of the 300-kg idol and served traditional Pongal delicacies as Prasad.
#WATCH | Tamil Nadu: A die-hard Rajinikanth fan from Madurai, Karthik, celebrated the Pongal festival in a unique way by offering prayers at a temple he built inside his residence in honour of the superstar.
— ANI (@ANI) January 13, 2026
The temple, inaugurated a few years ago, houses a 300-kg idol of… pic.twitter.com/9hHIyOgGDa
Pongal in "Blessed" Attire
The 2026 Pongal meant the world to Karthik’s family. The family received gifts at Rajinikanth’s Chennai residence when it came invitation on January 2nd, and the actor spent nearly 40 minutes with them.
“We dressed for the Pongal wearing the clothes of our ‘Deity’ himself,” said Karthik’s daughter, Anusha. “We dreamed about meeting him, but celebrating the festival alongside in his temple with his gifts, it’s a surreal experience.” The walls of the temple are decorated with more than 5,500 photographs of the actor from the floor up to the ceiling, and many of these photographs are taken in homage to the actor, reflecting his life and his career that has now covered a long journey, spanning 50 years.
Some may say this is extreme fandom, but for Karthik, it is actually a serious practice of spirituality. He makes aartis, even written slokas for Rajinikanth.
The “Thalaiva” on the world scene
As a god’s power in every soul continues to flourish amongst millions, the temple of Madurai is a testimony that he has the unprecedented demigod status of a Tamil.
