Purification ritual at Sabarimala not due to women entry: Tantri

February 04, 2019 20:58

Sabarimala temple Tantri (head priest) Kandararu Rajeevaru on Monday described as 'baseless', the allegation that the purification ritual he conducted at the Ayyappa shrine on January 2 was due to the entry of the two women of menstruating age.

In his 11-page explanation to the Travancore Devaswom Board, which manages the Sabarimala temple, he said the ritual was held to restore the 'grace' of the deity, which was lost as the temple faced many controversies and allegations during the Chithira Atta celebrations and the Mandala-Makaravilaku festival.

"The temple was facing many issues during the Chithira Aatta celebration and mandala-makaravilakku festival.

When such issues come up, we need to perform a purification ceremony to revive the lost grace of the deity," Tantri said in his explanation.

He also said that since there was no puja on December 31, 2018, the next day-January 1, 2019, witnessed huge crowds, prompting him to perform the ritual on January 2.

"Hence, the allegations that the temple was closed due to the women's entry and the act was against the Supreme Court order of September 28 are baseless," he said.

The Tantri also said that it was not necessary to take permission from the TDB to perform the rituals.

"The ceremony was conducted after informing all the devoswom officials who were present at the Sannidhanam at that time.

-- PTI

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