Kerala Priests to Discuss Temple Entry for Everyone

[Guest guest]

This is a problem that I have encountered in the major Temples of

Tamil Nadu and Kerla. It is very sad and for that reason I avoid

these areas because you are relegated to being a 'tourist' and not a

worshiper. You are allowed into the Temple complex but denied entry

into the 'garbha grha' (inner sanctum). I am a 'arya samaj' converted

Hindu. I carry the 'paperwork' that is recognized by the government

of India but still that is not enough to gain entry. I have known

many western women who gain access by covering their heads with saris

and have done so my self early morning at Rameshwaram by covering my

head with a lungi. This is a topic that is interest me and would

appreciate any further updates. sriprank

[Guest guest]

Dear All:

I am FROM Kerala; IN Kerala and dealt with temple administration on behalf of

the Court from 1990 to 1996.

YES there is a problem.

The traditions in Kerala are very strong. It is not just other religions that

are excluded. I have heard of a story of a (later) head of my family who became

the Foreign Minister under Subhash Chandra Bose of Indian National Army and

later indian ambassedor to many places being told that he cannot enter

Guruvayoor becuse he married within the prohibited degree.

The main reason is the tradition bound Namboodiris.

This does not mean that I agree that all and sundry should be allowed into

temples. U see the temples in Kerala are unique in the sense the consecration is

purely Tantric. The result is that the temples are powerful and they act as a

sort of magnfying mirror for one's vibrations. If people enter with scorn

(whatever religion) or hatred it reflects back manifold and because the rituals

are still pure the power is magnified many times. It is not in the interest of

non devotees to enter temples.

As someone who has studied astrology and who has ben consulted by friends I

have always found that entry with scorn or disbelief into the temples by people

(of all religions; including Hindus who are non belivers) have resulted in

severe problems.

I am not for or against the movement. I would only caution those who enter to be

careful.

Kochu

Devi Bhakta <devi_bhakta wrote:On occasion, non-Indian sadhaks in

the Group have reported

encountering a form of racism at certain Hindu temples in India. That

is, they were denied entry because they were not Indian, and in the

view of some only a born Indian can be a Hindu.

 

I think this is a minority belief, but I have even heard it expressed

(in a moment of pique) by one frequent contributor to the Group whose

posts generally advocate a broad acceptance of all, across religious

and racial lines. You never know, huh?

 

Anyway, as the below article suggests, the problem becomes even more

knotty when the party denied entry *is* a born Indian and the

prejudice becomes more clearly sectarian. But it also suggests that

Hinduism is "at a crossroads" right now, and contains hopeful ideas

for its future.

 

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, INDIA, November 11, 2002: Hindu priests, heads of

various Hindu bodies and seers will meet at Kottakkal, Kerala's

Malappuram district, on November 24 to discuss whether entrance to

Hindu temples should be available to all, regardless of religion.

 

In most temples in Kerala, non-Hindus are not allowed entry. Famous

singer, K. J. Yesudas, an ardent devotee of Guruvayurappan and

Ayyappan who has sung several songs for the Deity was denied entry to

the temple on the ground that he was born a Christian and, despite

his devotion to Hindu Gods, has never converted to Hinduism.

Similarly, poet Yusufali Kecherry, who has written songs to

Lord Krishna, is not allowed to enter the Guruvayur temple because he

is a Muslim.

 

The meeting is being held under the initiative of Azhvanchery Raman

Thamprackkal, who is regarded as the religious head of the Namboodiri

sect in the state.

 

"It is a custom to cleanse the religion and regain spiritual sheen of

Hindustan," a spokesman of the Azhvanchery family told the Hindustan

times.

 

"No believer should be denied entry into a temple just for

the reason that he or she was born in another religion. Hinduism is

at a crossroads now. Only an internal reformation exercise can revive

its old glory and the conclave is a step towards that direction," the

spokesman said.

 

However, he hastened to add that consensus among all religious heads

and priests was necessary for the success of the meeting.

 

(Courtesy HPI)

 

 

 

 

 

 

shakti_sadhnaa

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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