PATHANAMTHITTA: Soon after RSS leader Vatsan Thillankery courted controversy over Sabarimala that he breached tradition by climbing the flight of 18 steps to Sannidhhanam without ‘Irumudi kettu’, Devaswom Board member K P Shankar Das was caught in a similar controversy.

The allegation against Shankar Das is that he climbed up and down the 18 steps along with the thantri and chief priest when the temple opened the other day for Chithira Attam.

“The very Devaswom board members who took oath of office that they will respect the temple traditions have violated that and this is breach of oath,” it is said.
Earlier in the day, during a commotion over some women’s entry to Sannidhanam, Vatsan Thillankery was reportedly seen going down the 18 steps without Irumudikettu. After this, Shankar Das informed that it was breach of tradition and a probe will be conducted into the incident. Soon after this, a private TV channel flashed footages of Shankar Das climbing up and down the steps without Irumudi.

Meanwhile, former Devaswom Board president Prayar Gopalakrishnan has said that Shankar Das might have committed a blunder. “Shankar Das is a true believer and should not have made this mistake. I think he doesn’t have clear understanding about this tradition. Atonement poojas should be held in consultation with thantris,” he said.