A shocking turn of events has unfolded at the Guruvayur Sri Krishna Temple, where the cancellation of the ancient Udayasthamana Pooja has led to a personal tragedy for the temple’s chief priest (Thantri), Chennas Dineshan Namboodirippadu. The cancellation, which stirred controversy and sparked widespread criticism, has now been intertwined with an unforeseen loss, raising questions about the consequences of tampering with sacred rituals.
The Udayasthamana Pooja, traditionally performed on Ekadashi days from sunrise to sunset, has been a cornerstone of spiritual practice at the Guruvayur Temple for centuries. Ekadashi is considered one of the most auspicious days in the Hindu lunar calendar, commemorating Lord Krishna’s teachings to Arjuna in the Bhagavad Gita. For devotees, the Udayasthamana Pooja is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to seek blessings, with crowds of thousands gathering to participate in the ritual.
However, this year, the Guruvayur Devaswom, administered by the Kerala Government’s CPI(M)-dominated body, controversially canceled the ritual due to crowd management concerns. The decision has sparked outrage among Vedic scholars and devotees alike, who argue that the ritual is integral to the sanctity of the temple and must not be altered.
The decision to cancel the pooja had the support of Thantri Dineshan Namboodirippadu, but it was met with resistance from devotees, leading to petitions filed in both the Kerala High Court and the Supreme Court. While the High Court dismissed the petition, the Supreme Court agreed to examine the case. The Supreme Court criticized the Kerala government’s decision to cancel the Udayasthamana Pooja at the Guruvayur Sri Krishna Temple, questioning whether the ritual could be stopped simply for crowd management purposes. Justices JK Maheshwari and Rajesh Bindal emphasized that the pooja is meant to honor the deity, not just manage crowds. The court expressed concern about the reason provided for its cancellation and indicated that the temple management should find alternative ways to handle the crowds.
However, what followed was a devastating blow to the Thantri and his family. In a deeply tragic and ironic turn of events, just days after the cancellation of the Udayasthamana Pooja, a close relative of Thantri Dineshan Namboodirippadu, who had been in good health, passed away suddenly. This unexpected death has rendered the Thantri ineligible to enter the temple for the next 12 days, as he is required to perform the last rites.
This personal tragedy, occurring so soon after the temple’s controversial decision, has left many questioning whether it was divine intervention and a consequence of tampering with age-old traditions. Kizhiyedam Raman Namboodiri, the second-in-command to the Thantri, expressed his sorrow, stating that the events that followed the cancellation were deeply unsettling.
As the Supreme Court prepares to hear the case in four weeks, the cancellation of the Udayasthamana Pooja has become more than just a matter of crowd control—it has turned into a personal tragedy for Thantri Dineshan Namboodirippadu, whose life has been marked by a deep connection to the temple’s sacred rituals.
The unexpected loss has added an emotional layer to an already contentious situation, with many now questioning whether the cancellation of such a cherished tradition is truly worth the cost.
(With inputs from Daily Pioneer)
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