KOCHI: The Kerala High Court criticized the Devaswom Board for collecting money from devotees for Pottukuthal ritual in Erumeli. The high court asked whether money was collected for the ritual inside the temple and that they will not allow to exploit the devotees. The court criticized the board's new decision in connection with the Pottukuthal ritual.
The Devaswom Board said the agreement was given so that no one would exploit the devotees and will not force to do it. The board had recently informed that the Ayyappa devotees, who reach Erumeli during the pilgrimage season, should pay money for the Pottukuthal ritual, after a bath.
The board had decided to charge Rs 10 each from the devotees for applying the sandal paste. The board had awarded the contract by including this in the auction. With this, the Hindu organizations including the Ayyappa Seva Samaj protested against this. The high court later came forward criticizing the Devaswom Board.
The court said that if the board gets Rs 7 lakh by charging money for the ritual then the contractor will be getting crores. The court said that more information should be collected and handed over and the plea will be considered again on Tuesday.