Kerala Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran today informed that devotees will not be allowed for the monthly poojas in Sabarimala. The annual festival has been cancelled and only rituals will be held. The decision is following much debate and stringent criticism from opposition parties in the state.
Tantri Kandararu Mahesh Mohanaru had yesterday given a letter to devaswom commissioner stating that devotees should not be given entry to the temple when it opens for the poojas for the Malayalam month of Mithunam. He had also requested to postpone conducting the annual festival. The meet attended by tantris, devaswom members and the minister decided not to allow devotees to enter the temple and to conduct the festival just as a ritual.
“We have decided to conduct the festival as a ritual. The Opposition and BJP had been repeatedly asking on why places of worships are not opened. The leaders had alleged that government was deliberately not opening religious places even after opening liquor shops. Even now we decided to open worship centres as permission was granted by Centre. The decision was taken after discussions with religious leaders,” Devaswom Minister said.
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