Lotus garland fraud in Koodalmanikyam; caste not the only issue for opposing Ezhava member

KOCHI: There are indications that the caste issue is not the only reason behind the transfer of B.V. Balu, a member of the Ezhava community, who was appointed as the Kazhakam staff (garland worker) at the Irinjalakuda Koodalmanikyam temple. Another reason for the opposition is the concern of the Tantris, priests, and traditional kazhakam staff that the illegal offerings and the fraud in them will get exposed.

Some offerings are done directly by the kazhakam staff after taking money from the devotees. Other Devaswom boards do not allow this. There are those who pocket up to Rs. 10,000 a day before they distribute the amount. The biggest fraud is in the lotus garland offering. The Devaswom rate is Rs. 750. On special days, when four or five lotus garlands are received at the Devaswom counter, the garland workers will make up to 100 of them directly. The number of garlands tied will be only four or five. Those who make the offerings will be deceived.

In addition to the traditional kazhakam member, two more Ambalavasis also illegally tie garlands. The Devaswom has tried its best to get rid of them unsuccessfully. One of them is a retired Devaswom employee. They pay no heed to the notice saying that they should leave the premises after 7 am.

Marketing the offerings

They also market these offerings, including the lotus garland offerings, over the phone by finding out the dates of birth of the devotees. Devaswom has no role in these.