Instagram reel controversy: Punyaham to be held at Guruvayur temple pond tomorrow

THRISSUR: A purification ritual (punyaham) will be performed tomorrow in the Guruvayur temple pond after a controversy broke out over an Instagram reel shot by YouTuber Jasmine Jaffar. The temple authorities have also decided to repeat six days of rituals and the seeveli ceremony. Darshan for devotees will remain restricted until noon tomorrow.

The issue began after Jasmine filmed reels inside the temple pond and premises, defying a High Court ban. The Guruvayur Devaswom subsequently filed a police complaint. With the incident sparking widespread criticism, the YouTuber later issued an apology and deleted the videos.

The complaint stated that the video was shot in a restricted zone, violating the sanctity of the temple pond where key rituals such as the aarattu (sacred bath of Lord Krishna’s idol) are conducted. Filming in the pond is strictly prohibited, and non-Hindus are not permitted to enter it.