Thevar jayanthi is celebrated as a government function at Pasumpon, the spiritual leader's hometown.
Around 8,000 police personnel have been deployed across Tamil Nadu's Ramanathapuram district for the 110th birth anniversary of freedom-fighter-cum-spiritual leader Muthuramalinga Thevar, the icon of the Thevar community.
The birth anniversary - also called Guru Pooja - is celebrated as a government function at Pasumpon village, the spiritual leader's hometown.
Over the years, the event has become a political pilgrimage for Tamil Nadu politicians to woo the Thevar community, which has a strong influence across southern districts of Tamil Nadu. Till a few years ago, the event was also attended even by a few national leaders.
This year, the birth anniversary celebrations is likely to be attended by a number of state leaders such as Chief Minister E Palaniswami, his deputy O Panneerselvam, DMK's MK Stalin, sidelined AIADMK leader TTV Dhinakaran, MDMK Chief Vaiko and State Congress Chief Thirunavukarasar.
Muthuramalinga Thevar's birthday anniversary celebrations has triggered violent clashes between thevars and dalits in the past, resulting in loss of lives of several civilians and police personnel.
In order to prevent such incidents, the police have imposed a large number of restrictions to ensure that the event takes place smoothly. All highways connecting Madurai, Sivaganga, Virudhnagar and a few other adjoining districts in south Tamil Nadu are dotted by security personnel and check posts.
The statue of Muthuramalinga Thevar was on Friday adorned with the 13-kg golden armour, donated by the late AIADMK chief J Jayalalithaa, at the freedom-fighter-cum-spiritual leader's memorial in Pasumponn in Ramanathapuram district. The armour was adorned on the statue of freedom fighter in the presence of Madurai collector.