Moneycontrol PRO
Swing Trading 101
Swing Trading 101

Pongal with Thalaiva: Madurai fan offers prayers to Rajinikanth’s 300 Kg idol at home temple

Rajinikanth’s unmatched stardom took centre stage during Pongal, as a devoted fan from Madurai marked the harvest festival in an extraordinary way, blending faith, fandom, and tradition, and turning a personal celebration into a moment that captured statewide attention.

January 14, 2026 / 13:13 IST
Pongal with Thalaiva: Madurai fan offers prayers to Rajinikanth’s 300 Kg idol at home temple
Snapshot AI
  • Rajinikanth fan in Madurai built a home temple with a 300-kg idol for Pongal
  • Family performed Pongal rituals and prayers at the Rajinikanth shrine
  • Thalaivar 173, Rajinikanth's next film, is set for Pongal 2027 release

Rajinikanth’s unmatched stardom once again took centre stage during the Pongal festivities, as a devoted fan from Madurai chose an extraordinary way to mark the harvest festival.

While Pongal is traditionally a time for family gatherings, prayers, and gratitude to nature, this celebration stood out for its sheer scale of devotion to Thalaiva. The incident underlined how Rajinikanth continues to command not just admiration, but deep emotional and spiritual reverence among his fans, especially in Tamil Nadu.

According to a post shared by ANI on X, a die-hard Rajinikanth fan named Karthik celebrated Pongal by offering prayers at a temple built inside his residence in honour of the superstar. The post revealed that the temple houses a massive 300-kg idol of Rajinikanth and was inaugurated a few years ago. For Karthik, the actor is not just a cinematic icon but a figure he reveres like a God. Along with his family, he performed traditional Pongal rituals and special prayers at the shrine, turning the festival into a deeply personal and symbolic event.

ANI also shared a video capturing moments from the celebration, which quickly went viral. In the visuals, Karthik and his family are seen preparing prasadam, performing milk abhishekam on the towering idol, decorating it with fruit garlands, and offering prayers together. The clip offers a rare glimpse into the intensity of Rajinikanth fandom, showcasing how his on-screen persona has translated into lifelong devotion for many admirers.

Also Read: Malaika Arora says it is 'empowering' doing item songs in 50s, slams trolls: 'Why should I be apologetic?'

This remarkable display of faith comes at a time when Rajinikanth remains one of the most active and celebrated stars in Indian cinema. On the professional front, director Cibi Chakaravarthi has replaced Sundar C. as the filmmaker for Thalaivar 173. The film is being produced by Raaj Kamal Films International, headed by Kamal Haasan, along with producer R Mahendran. The announcement poster carried the tagline, “Every Family Has A Hero,” sparking fresh excitement among fans.

Slated for a Pongal 2027 release, Thalaivar 173 is already among the most anticipated Tamil films in production, with Anirudh Ravichander composing the music. Before that, Rajinikanth will return to the big screen in Jailer 2 in 2026, directed by Nelson Dilipkumar, reprising his popular role as Tiger Muthuvel Pandian.

As anticipation around his upcoming films continues to build, stories like Karthik’s Pongal celebration serve as a powerful reminder that Rajinikanth’s legacy extends far beyond cinema, firmly rooted in the hearts and beliefs of his fans.

Vaishnavi Gavankar
first published: Jan 14, 2026 01:13 pm

Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!

Subscribe to Tech Newsletters

  • On Saturdays

    Find the best of Al News in one place, specially curated for you every weekend.

  • Daily-Weekdays

    Stay on top of the latest tech trends and biggest startup news.

Advisory Alert: It has come to our attention that certain individuals are representing themselves as affiliates of Moneycontrol and soliciting funds on the false promise of assured returns on their investments. We wish to reiterate that Moneycontrol does not solicit funds from investors and neither does it promise any assured returns. In case you are approached by anyone making such claims, please write to us at grievanceofficer@nw18.com or call on 02268882347