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Panel mooted to streamline Ayyappa temple rituals

Staff Reporter

`Devaprasnam indicates divine displeasure'

PATHANAMTHITTA: The chief astrologer (daivajnar) of the `asthamangala devaprasnam,' under way at Sabarimala, Parappanangady Unnikrishna Panicker, has stressed the need to constitute an advisory committee to streamline the ritualistic matters at the Lord Ayyappa Temple.

Analysing the signs and other astrological inferences, on the fourth day of the `devaprasnam' on Sunday, Mr. Panicker said the presiding deity was not found to be happy by the manner in which the auspicious `padipuja ritual' was being conducted at Sabarimala.

According to him, there were indications of violations of ritualistic traditions and malpractice in the conduct of various temple rituals, especially the `padipuja.'

It was high time the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) prescribed guidelines for the proper conduct of the same, he said.

Besides, the TDB should also fix the expenses of the ritual and directly conduct the ritual so as to check fleecing of devotees by middlemen, he said.

Mr. Panicker said there were ample indications of the divine displeasure towards fleecing of devotees in Sabarimala on the temple premises and at various commercial outlets on the holy hillock.

He has reiterated the need to strengthen the `annadanom' by extending free food to all devotees coming to Sabarimala and minimising private eateries at the pilgrim centre.

Mr. Panicker said that care should also be taken to ensure that the police personnel deputed for Sabarimala duty, especially those on the gold-plated `pathinettampady' (18-steps) and temple premises, should be Ayyappa devotees who observe strict penance (vratha) before undertaking the duty.

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