Serious security breach: Power bank in temple naivedyam in Guruvayur

GURUVAYUR: The Chief Security Officer has submitted a report to the Devaswom Administrator following the discovery of a power bank in an offering brought from within the Guruvayur shrine. Based on this, the Devaswom Administrator lodged a complaint with the Guruvayur Temple Police. The police registered the case and found the Keezhsanthi Namboothiri who is the owner of the power bank, took his statement and released him. Keezhsanthi testified that the power bank was mistakenly put in the bag used to bring betel leaves and areca nuts.

As the non-worshipful object reached the shrine, the ritual including the vilakku ezhunnellippu continued only after the Punyayam was performed. The security personnel found the power bank under the fruit sitting on top of the offered areca nuts and betel leaves when the offering was brought from the shrine after the Athazha pooja on Friday night. The Chief Security Officer was immediately informed.

Only those who do the traditional work of the temple, including the Keezh Santhi, will be inside the nalambalam during the Athazha pooja. Athazha pooja takes place after cleaning the nalambalam after bringing out the offerings inside the nalambalam. Keezh Santhi Namboothiris are the ones who prepare the offerings. All the devotees entering the temple will be checked by the security personnel. However, the employees, including Keezh Santhi, are not regularly checked. After the controversy, he informed Tantri that the power bank belonged to him. To increase security, a new metal detector was installed near the temple's western door yesterday.

"It is not possible to conduct a physical examination of Keezhsanthi Namboothiris who come to the temple clean after bathing. This will be resolved in the Devaswom Governing Body meeting in consultation with the Temple Tantri."

KP Vinayan

Administrator