THRISSUR: The Cochin Devaswom Board will amend the primitive offerings of 'kalkazhukichoottu' and '12 namaskaram'. The decision was taken at a meeting with office-bearers of the All Kerala Tantri Samaj in Thrissur yesterday under the chairmanship of Board President V Nandakumar.

The meeting was convened on the instructions of Devaswom Minister K Radhakrishnan following the Kerala Kaumudi news on the age old offering of 12 namaskaram at the Sri Poornathrayesa temple in Tripunithura. The 'kalkazhukichoottu' ceremony of the Brahmins and the 12 namaskaram at the Sree Poornathrayesa temple in Tripunithura will not continue as they are. The ceremony, which will be attended by all, irrespective of caste, will be renamed as 'Samaradhana'. Priests from all the temples, including the Devaswom Board, can attend the function. Devaswom Board President V Nandakumar said devotees would not have access.

The meeting was attended by Devaswom member MG Narayanan, Tantri Samajam president Vezhapparambu Eesanan Namboodirippad and secretary Pudayoor Jayanarayanan Namboodirippad.

In early February, the Kodungallur Edavilang Sivakrishnapuram temple had abandoned the 'kalkazhukichoottu' ceremony due to controversy. The Iringalakuda Karalam Vellani Nhalikulam Mahadeva temple also canceled 'kalkazhukichoottu' that was to be held yesterday.

Kalkazhukichoottu, 12 namaskaram

This primitive offering is suggested by some astrologers for repentence. The Tantri or the priest calls Brahmins and washes their feet and gives them food, dakshina and clothes. The 12 namaskaram is an offering of Rs 20,000 at the Tripunithura temple. This is done by the Tantri who summons 12 Brahmins to Thidappally, which is inaccessible to non-Brahmins.

Temple ceremonies will be revised

The government will convene a meeting of five Devaswom Board presidents to discuss revisions to some of age old temple ceremonies. The Board explained in the High Court case that the 12 namaskaram were held as per the instructions of the Tantri at the Tripunithura temple. To change this the board meeting needs to complete the procedure. The High Court will consider the case again on the 25th.