'Kalkazhukichoottu' cannot be renamed as 'Samaradhana': High Court

KOCHI: The high court has clarified that the renaming of the 'Kalkazhukichoottu' ritual to 'Samaradhana' at the Thripunithura Poornathrayesa Temple by the Cochin Devaswom Board is not legal. "The rituals at the temple are ancient. Neither the Devaswom Board nor the state government can legally interfere in the so-called ''Kalkazhukichoottu' or 'Panthrandu Namaskaram' ceremonies", a division bench comprising Justice Anil K Narendran and Justice PG Ajithkumar said.

The High Court verdict came in a case voluntarily taken on the basis of a Kerala Kaumudi report that 12 Brahmins had their ritual washing of feet at the Thripunithura temple. "The Devaswom Board is responsible for maintaining the existing rituals at the temple. The rituals and poojas of the temple should be performed in accordance with the ancient customs and rituals. Neither the Devaswom Board nor the government can interfere in this. The 'Panthrandu Namaskaram' is also mentioned in the repentance rituals following the 'Ashtamangalaprashnam' at the Poornathrayesa Temple in 1999. It is the Tantri, not the devotees, who wash the feet of the 12 Brahmins as part of the ceremony". The Division Bench also held that there is no issues in the ceremony. Earlier, the Sreeraghavapuram Sabha Yogam, All Kerala Tantrimandalam and Yogakshemasabha had joined the party in the petition.