Caste-based discrimination at Kerala temple abolished

Thiruvananthapuram: Caste based participation of devotees at a ritual at the Vaikkom Mahadeva temple at Kottayam district in Kerala has been abolished.

The move has come at a time when the centenary of the Vaikkom Sathyagragha for abolishing the restriction on movement of people from backward communities along the roads near the temple is celebrated.

Travancore Devaswom Board that manages the temple said in a statement that all devotees will be allowed to participate in the ritual for receiving the 'Vadakkupurathu Pattu' ritual that is held once in 12 years. This year's 12 day ritual is from April 2.

State Devaswom minister V N Vasavan told reporters that the caste based discrimination was being abolished as per the state government's decision. "All devotees who take penance and turn up for the ritual would be allowed to participate in the ritual without any discrimination," he said.

The decision came close on the heels of a row over the discrimination at the Sree Koodalmanikyam temple at Irinjalakuda in Thrissur district. The temple tantris from the upper caste community kept off from performing poojas for several days after a person from the Hindu-Ezhava OBC community was appointed to the 'Kazhakam' (garland making and associated works) post of the temple. He was later shifted to the post in the office.

Several temples in the state have recently abolished the practice of insisting on male devotees to remove shirts for entering the temple. The Sivagiri Mutt founded by social reformer Sree Narayana Guru is planning to launch a stir seeking entry of believers from all religions to the famed Guruvayur Sree Krishna temple.