Modi's visit: Guruvayur under SPG surveillance

THRISSUR: In view of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Guruvayur, the temple and its premises are now under SPG control. Although the booked weddings have not been postponed, there will be a change in the number of weddings from 6 am to 9 am.

A meeting of the Collector and security officials will be held on Sunday at 10.30 am to decide the arrangements for the Prime Minister's visit.

Apart from the Prime Minister, Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan, Goa Governor Adv PS Sreedharan Pillai, Bengal Governor CV Anandabose, any of the governors of Tamil Nadu or Karnataka may attend Suresh Gopi's daughter's wedding. V Muraleedharan, Rajeev Chandrasekhar and some other Union Ministers may also attend. When the Prime Minister visits, only those who are directed by the security personnel will be allowed to enter. Everyone except the Prime Minister will come to the wedding hall. It is on the day of the PM's visit that Udayastamana Puja begins after Sabarimala season. The shiveli procession with elephants will be completed before six in the morning.

Time of marriage will be decided by Devaswom

In Guruvayur, the marriage is not according to Muhurta, but as decided by the devaswom. Due to the restrictions on the Prime Minister's visit, some people who have booked weddings between 5 am and 6 am have written to the police. The rest of the marriages will take place after the Prime Minister leaves.

Cyberwar

Anti-BJP groups are spreading the word that the weddings on that day have been postponed due to the Prime Minister's visit. The explanation in the BJP camps is that there is no time limit for marriages and there is only restriction on visiting time.

Controversy over marriage schedule

Controversy erupted over change in marriage timings due to PM Modi's visit on January 17. Marriages that were earlier scheduled to take place between 6 am and 9 am were changed. This means about 10 marriages were scheduled to be held at a different time. Thulabharam and darshan also won't be allowed between 6 and 9. 48 marriages will be held between 5 am and 6 am. The temple authority has asked the marriage groups to take special pass.