The controversy over Travancore Devaswom Board denying permission to the senior Sabarimala Tantri (chief priest) Kandararu Maheswararu to take his son Kandararu Mohanaru as his assistant for performing the tantric rites at Lord Ayyappa Temple took a new turn with the devaswom guards shutting the doors of the tantri’s room on Mr Mohanaru on Monday.
Mr. Mohanaru who reached the Sannidhanam, along with Maheswararu, on Sunday stayed back at the Sabari Guest House when he was not permitted to accompany the latter to the Tantri’s room attached to the Ayyappa Temple complex. He reached the temple precincts around 12.15 pm on Monday and proceeded to the Tantri’s room after offering prayers at the Ayyappa shrine, later. However, devaswom guards shut the doors on him denying him permission to enter the Tantri’s room with out obtaining permission from the Board authorities. Meanwhile, the Tantri came out to receive his son outside. Both of them have also made a futile attempt to meet the Executive Officer V.S.Jayakumar who was not available at the Executive Office.
Talking to reporters, Maheswararu said he was pained at the``unsavoury’’ incidents at the holy hillock. He alleged that the TDB had treated the chief priest and his son at Sabarimala in an inhuman
manner.
Mr Maheswararu said the Tantri’s word prevail on the ritualistic aspects at any temple, adding that Tantri is the authority to decide on the ritualistic aspects. He said the TDB action was nothing short of an infringement on his previlages as the chief priest, especially in matters concerning the sanctum sanctorum and temple rituals.
He said the matter would be discussed with various Hindu organisations and Ayyappa devotees. A decision on whether Mohanaru should be permitted to do tantric rites at Sabarimala will be taken after
holding a creative dialogue with various Hindu religious leaders as well as devotees’ groups, he said.
The Tantri said he would also move Kerala High Court against the TDB action.Mohanaru, accompanied by his nephew, Rahul Iswar, returned home, later in the evening.
Commissioner reiterates stand
Meanwhile, Devaswom Commissioner P.V.Nalinakshan Nair reiterated the temple authority’s stand not to engage Mohanaru in any ritualistic aspect at Sabarimala till the controversies involving him die down.
Heavy rush
The Sannidhanam winessed heavy rush on the Malayalam new year day on Monday. A Laksharchana was performed at the Ayyappa Temple in the forenoon.
