Site where the remains, of what locals believe to be a Hindu temple, have been found
Credit: Special Arrangement
Thiruvananthapuram: In yet another 'Kerala story' of communal harmony, the authorities of a temple and a church in Kottayam district are finding an amicable solution to a land issue, despite efforts by some sections to communalise it.
Some structures, believed to be the remains of a temole over a century old, were found on a land which is now in the possession of the Syro Malabar church's Pala diocese in Kottayam district.
The place was believed to be part of the nearby Vellapad Bhagavathy temple. Temple and church authorities are now in talks to find a way forward.
Vinod P, a member of the temple committee, told DH that the diocese authorities have taken the matter positively.
"We will find an amicable solution on the matter. There is no sort of friction over the issue as people of all faiths live in utmost harmony here. It was indeed some families from the Christian community in the region who informed their neighbours from the Hindu community that the remains resembling a temple were spotted," he said.
A bishop house official also said that the matter was being sorted out amicably through talks with the temple authorities.
Remains resembling a Shivling and a temple structure were spotted while the land was being prepared for tapioca cultivation using earth movers a few days back. It is believed that the temple was earlier located at this spot and was later shifted to another nearby spot after a Brahmin family that possessed the temple neglected it leading to its eventual ruin.
With some Hindu outfits offering prayers at the spot after the remains were found, certain quarters even tried to flare up the issue. But, the temple authorities and bishop house authorities ensured that there was no room for any friction over the issue.