'Yusufali Kechery used to visit and pray, Yesudas yet to make a request', says Guruvayur Thantri Chennas Dinesan Namboothiripad

KOCHI: Guruvayur temple Thantri Chennas Dinesan Namboothiripad said that the decision regarding the entry of non-Hindus into the temple is a matter within the purview of the government.

Chennas Dinesan Namboothiripad, in an interview given to The New Indian Express:

“In the past, non-Hindus were not allowed to enter temples in Kerala. This became possible after the temple entry proclamation. Therefore, such issues should be decided at the government level.

The government should decide on the entry of non-Hindus. Not us. To date, Yesudas has not requested to visit the Guruvayur temple. He is an artist blessed by God. Yesudas was invited to enter the Padmanabha Swamy temple, but he did not. There will be opposition from his religion. Yesudas only went near the sacred stone (Balikallu) of the Aranmula temple and didn’t proceed further.

Yusufali Kechery used to visit Guruvayur and pray; he was an ardent devotee. After he earned a name in the industry, Kechery used to pray outside the temple so as not create any fuss. Like Kechery, many people continue to do the same.”