'Father attained Samadhi through pranayama'; locals cry foul over temple priest's death in Neyyattinkara

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Gopan (78), a native of Neyyattinkara was supposed to have attained Samadhi as per his son’s statement. However, the locals are not buying any of this and are crying foul over the issue. Many locals were unaware of Gopan's death, who was the priest in the nearby temple.

It was just one day back that Gopan’s son put up a flex board near the temple informing the death news. In the flex board, it was stated that Gopan attained Samadhi on Thursday while sitting near the temple premises. This elicited doubts among many and the shrouded details also added to the mystery.

Amidst growing doubts from locals, Gopan’s son Rajasenan responded to the news.

“Five years ago, my father had ordered the Padma Peeth stone and other items. He had prescient knowledge about his final days. Just some days back he decided it was time and sat on the Padma Peeth stone near the temple and attained Samadhi. He even blessed me while sitting on the stone. After that, my father performed pranayama and merged into the Kumbha. It is a slated rule that nobody should be present around during such a ritual. My father passed away at 11 am on Thursday. Immediately after that, I informed my brother of the news and he came home with all the necessary items to perform the death rituals.

In 2016, Gopan built a temple next to his house. During the first two years, the ceremonies were performed properly in the temple. But the locals noticed a change recently with rituals being performed only at late night hours. There were also rumours about black magic and other rituals being practised in the temple.

Locals demand that Gopan's body be exhumed and a post-mortem conducted which will help clarify the death. Neyyattinkara police have registered a case and started an investigation. According to reports, police have registered missing news in the case while moves are being made to exhume the body and send it for autopsy. According to Locals, Rajasenan, son of Gopan, was previously arrested for theft cases. Rajasenan also used to severely scold Gopan for unknowingly wetting the bed in sleep. Many neighbours say that Gopan has been bedridden for the last two years.