Prayed at Kakkattu Koikkal Sree Dharma Sastha Temple wearing shirt; tradition broken by SNDP Yogam Perunad Samyukta Samiti

RANNI: The SNDP Yogam Perunad Samyukta Samithi dismissed the custom of not wearing shirts and visited a temple. Around fifty people entered the Perunad Kakkattu Koikkal Sree Dharma Sastha Temple under the Travancore Devaswom Board wearing shirts.

The Samyukta Samithi workers arrived at around 9.30 am. The Melshanthi present there said that people should not visit the temple wearing shirts. They replied that it was their freedom and that they should be allowed to worship peacefully. There were no other objections. They returned after circumambulating the shrine and receiving prasad from the Melshanthi. Other devotees were also present at this time. The temple advisory committee office bearers were not present.

The SNDP Yogam and Sivagiri Mutt had recently demanded that people should be allowed to enter all temples wearing shirts. The Perunad Joint Committee had also protested against the stance of the Thantris who had discriminated against VI Balu, a backward class person, in the Irinjalakuda Koodalamanikya temple on the grounds of untouchability. It was in this meeting that it was decided to enter the temple wearing a shirt.

President Pramod Vazhamkuzhi, Secretary AN Vidyadharan, branch presidents VK Vasudevan Vayaranmaruthi, V Prasad Kakkad, CG Vijayakumar, VN Madhu, TG Pramod, Sukesh, Suresh Mukkam, Youth Movement Ranni Union President Suraj Vayaranmaruthi, Deepu Kannannumon, and Ajay led the meeting. Office bearers and workers of various branches participated.

"It is inappropriate to say that one should not enter a temple wearing a shirt in a civilized society. However, the board cannot take a unilateral decision in this regard. Many customs and practices have been eliminated over time. All of that happened through healthy discussions and debates. The board will take a final decision on this issue as well.

P.S. Prashanth,

President,

Travancore Devaswom Board