NDTV.com: Guruvayur priest on entry for non-Hindus

NDTV.com: Guruvayur priest on entry for non-Hindus


Guruvayur priest on entry for non-Hindus

Quote
“ Let the government say that punyaham ceremony is not needed. Let the government say this. ”
- Chennas Raman Namboothiri, Chief Priest of Guruvayur temple
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Saturday, May 26, 2007 (Guruvayur temple)
For the first time after it began purification rituals after Congress MP Vyalar Ravi's Christian wife entered its premises, Chief Priest of Guruvayur temple Chennas Raman Namboothiri has spoken to NDTV. The Chief Priest has for the first time spoken on the Purification ceremony controversy, the entry for non-Hindus into Guruvayur temple and other reforms in the temple practices. NDTV: What is the role of Thanthri in all these rituals?Namboothiri: All these rules are implemented by us so far. Thanthri is considered as father of the deity. He is the one who is the father of the deity, he has all the rights.In an exclusive interview to NDTV at the Thanthri Mutt in Guruvayur, the chief priest also said that he was ready to accept the change if the government brings in a rule.Namboothiri: Let the government say that punyaham ceremony is not needed. Let the government say this.NDTV: Do you think if there is a change in the rules you will accept. Are you open to a change?Namboothiri: Of course we are ready to but that must be done by the government not by us, or any other agency. Like they brought the temple entry proclamation for lower castes. The government should bring such a rule that non-Hindus can also enter the temple. They are not prepared for it that is the fact.NDTV: Why do you think they are not prepared for that?Namboothiri: I think so they want the votes. The question is how to get votes whether it will increase or decrease votes. It is because of this. I think so.NDTV: But you personally are not against reforms?Namboothiri: I am not against it. We came to this temple when the temple entry proclamation was implemented here. My forefathers came here. If they were not willing to that change they would not have come here.NDTV: That means your family is open to change or reform?Namboothiri: Yes but that has to be brought by the government.NDTV: So what kind of law should the government bring?Namboothiri: Only one. Non-Hindus have been debarred from entering temple since long. Earlier when lower castes used to enter, there used to be purification ceremony. Now the government should bring a law that non-Hindus can also enter the temple, then this problem will end.NDTV: Vayalar Ravi says he is a practicing Hindu. His son is a practicing Hindu?Namboothiri: What is a practicing Hindu ? His mother is a Christian - maternity is a reality. We look at the maternal side not paternal. We didn't do the purification because we have any personal enmity with Ravi. Earlier also the purification was done. We will do it again if the new rule is not framed. It is a fact. We are not insulting him. We have not insulted.NDTV: Some people in the priests and Thanthri community are holding discussions that change should be effected?Namboothiri: This change has to be brought by the government not by us. We are ready to follow this as long as they don't bring in the rule. We will continue this purification.After the chief priest's statement, now the ball is clearly in the court of Kerala Government. It will be interesting to see how they manage to bring this historic change.