Click to play videoKerala: Priests and religious organisations in Kerala have called a meet in Thrissur to discuss the issue of entry of non-Hindus in temples.
Just a few days ago the head priest of the Guruvayoor temple had said that if popular opinion favoured it, non-Hindus would be allowed into the temple.
“If public opinion is that people of all religions should be allowed inside the temple the tanthri family will not oppose it,” said Dinesan Namboothiripad priest, Guruvayoor temple.
The meet comes in wake of the recent controversy around the purification ceremony conducted in Kerala’s Guruvayoor temple where the priests performed purification rituals after Minister Vayalar Ravi’s son entered the temple.
Guruvayoor authorities had objected his visit because he has a Christian mother. Thanthris and priests of various temples and representatives of Brahmana Sabha will deliberate on issues like entry of non-Hindus, practice of purification and other reforms and try to lay down a roadmap for reforms in temple rituals and practices, they said
“We have to look at the spiritual, social and ritualistic angle. We need to educate people about seeking guidance from the spiritual leaders. We are trying to discuss the problem to arrive at a solution,” said Devadas Namboothiri, Brahmana Sabha chief.
''We are ready to allow non-Hindus. Like they brought the temple entry proclamation for lower castes, the government should bring such a rule that non-Hindus can also enter the temple,” said Guruvayur chief priest, Chennas Raman Namboothiri.
But not everyone is agreeing with the views of the Guruvayur chief priest.
Representatives of Brahmana Sabha and a section of thanthris have apprehensions on allowing the government to have a major say in rituals and practices in temples. They want the initiative to come from their community.
“Actually, the government has no right to conduct or legislate a law since it is 100 per cent ownership of Hindus. It is under the control of Kerala Brahmana, thanthris and Vaidikas. They are the only people to proclaim any achara,'' said Sreekumar Thamarapally, General Secretary, Yogakshema Sabha.
The venue of the meeting is adjacent to the three mutts established by Adi Shankaracharya about 12,000 years ago. And if all goes well, the meeting will pave the way for a second temple entry proclamation.
(For updates you can share with your friends, follow IBNLive on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest)
More on IBNLive Right Now
MOST SHARED
PHOTOGALLERY
