Temple traditions cannot be changed without the consent of Chief Priest : Kerala HC

Government’s Temple Committee had ordered to change a tradition

Koodalmanikyam temple
Courtesy : Kerala Tourism

Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) – Changes in the prevailing religious practices of temples can only be made with the consent of the Tantriks (chief priests), the Kerala High Court ruled. The Government’s ‘Koodalamanikyam Devaswom Management Committee’ had allowed Hindu artists, other than members of the Ammannur family, to perform Koothu and Koodiyattam dances in the Koothambalam (the temple’s performance space) of the temple at Irinjalakuda, Thrissur. The Court has nullified this decision of the committee, while stating that ‘the Ammannur family members have a hereditary right to perform Koothu and Koodiyattam dances in the Koodalmanikyam temple’s Koothambalam. Koothu and Koodiyattam, dances like these performed in the temple, are religious rituals. The Devaswom Management Committee cannot decide on changes in the roles of artists without the consent of the Tantriks.’ This order was given on a petition filed by Ammannur Parameswaran Chakyar, challenging the decision to allow Hindu artists other than the Ammannur family to perform in the Koothambalam.

1. The High Court stated that under Section 10 of the Koodalmanikyam Act 2005, the management committee is expected to continue this tradition without any error. According to the provisions of Section 35 of the Act, the decision of the Tantriks is final. Ignoring this, the management committee allowed other Hindu artists to perform at Koothambalam in a meeting held on February 19, 2022.

2. In this case, the management committee argued that the performance by members of the Ammannur family was limited to a few days of the year, leaving the Koothambalam unused for long periods, leading to its poor maintenance.

3. To this, the Court stated that any religious and traditional rituals followed in the temple cannot be violated.

Editorial Perspective

This incident highlights how religious practices and traditions are destroyed when temples come under the Government control. Although in this case, the Court has nullified committee’s order, many other traditions across several temples could have already been altered.