Theerthawari program was held at Dharmalingesarar temple in Nanganallur near Chennai. In this situation, when more than 25 priests of the temple lowered the Swami into the pond and bathed him, one of them drowned in the pond and those who went to save him, 5 people subsequently drowned.

The police have registered a case and are investigating the drowning of priests. The incident of drowning of 5 priests during a temple festival near Nanganallur, Chennai has caused great sadness among the devotees.