Daijiworld Media Network - Kasargod (SP)

Kasargod, Apr 26: Kerala government has sought opinions from Tantries (guides for religious procedures) of different temples on the issue of allowing entry of men into temples, duly wearing shirts and banians. This has been done in response to a complaint made by K G Abhilash from Thrissur to the department of religious endowments, expressing himself against making it mandatory at certain temples for men to enter only if they remove their shirts and banians.

It may be recalled that the Kerala government's stand on breaking traditions at Sabarimala shrine and allowing women entry into Ayyappa shrine there in tune with the Supreme Court verdict had given rise to disputes and protests. Many feel that this is another attempt of the government to meddle with established traditions and practices.

Muzrai minister, Kadagampalli Surendran, has written to temple Tantries about the practicability of allowing men with their clothes on into certain temples where entry with shirts and banians is not allowed. As it knew that this could be a dispute, the government which received the said letter two months, waited and sent letters to Tantries only a day after the conclusion of election.

The petition received from K G Abhilash has been enclosed to letters written to Tantries of Travancore, Kochi, Guruvayoor and Malabar Devaswom boards seeking detailed reports. The government noted that in some temples, the practice of mandating the devotees to remove their banians and shirts has been followed and this condition is also prominently displayed outside such temples.

Area secretary of All Kerala Tantri Samaj, Pudavoor Jayanarayana Namboodiri, stated that he would hold discussions with the managing committees of temples. Many expect that the Devaswom Board will recommend to discontinue the above practice, as the Devaswom Boards are currently headed by left front-supported persons.

At the same time, several temple committees have pointed out that changing of practices that have been followed since long in temples is not right as temples are not public properties, and temples are created with a set of restrictions, traditions, and belief systems.