Sabarimala Temple won't re-open for public, annual festival cancelled: Kerala Devaswom Minister

Jun 11, 2020

Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], June 11 (ANI): In a meeting convened with Sabarimala tantri and Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), it has been decided to not re-open Sabarimala temple for the public for monthly pooja and to cancel temple festival, Kerala Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran informed on Thursday. The decision was taken considering the views of Sabarimala tantri, who raised concerns over re-opening of the temple in a letter on the backdrop of COVID-19 situation prevailing in the country. "Tantri has asked the government to reconsider the decision to open Sabarimala temple for the public. He had also written a letter regarding this, in which it was pointed out that many devotees from states with high COVID-19 cases could visit the temple. If so it will affect the health of all devotees. And we cannot ask them to not come," he said. On allegations made by the Opposition regarding the reopening of the temple, Devasom Minister said that both Congress and BJP were constantly demanding that places of worships be re-opened. "They even alleged that the Kerala government was not committed to open temples. The opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala also had demanded to open the places of worship following all guidelines. It is in this backdrop that Kerala government decided to open all places of worship in consultation with all religious leaders including Tantri when it came to Sabarimala," he added. Sabarimala Tantri Kandararu Maheswararu Mohanararu clarified that he had written a letter requesting the government to reconsider the decision to open Sabarimala, taking in view the increasing number of COVID-19 cases. "If any COVID-19 positive person visits the temple, all priests would have to go into quarantine, affecting the rituals and even festival at temple adversely. That's the reason I have asked for a reconsideration. There is no rift between government on the issue," he said. Earlier, it was decided to open the Sabarimala temple for the public on June 14 for monthly pooja and to conduct temple festival from June 19, which has now been cancelled. (ANI)

More News

Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders Aaditya Thackeray and Bhaskar Jadhav (Photo/ANI)

Maharashtra: Shiv Sena (UBT) elect Aaditya Thackeray as legislature party leader

Nov 25, 2024

Party leader Bhaskar Jadhav has been elected as the party leader in the Maharashtra legislative assembly, and Sunil Prabhu has been appointed as the chief whip.
Union Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw (Photo/ANI)

Railways Minister Vaishnaw announces record 5 lakh recruits over last decade

Nov 25, 2024

Union Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that five lakh railway employees have been recruited transparently in the last decade, surpassing the 4.4 lakh recruited between 2004 and 2014, said...
Unaccounted cash seized by ED. (Photo: ED)

ED raids 9 locations linked to Z Estates Private Limited in FEMA probe

Nov 25, 2024

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Bhubaneswar conducted searches on November 22, at nine locations in Odisha, Delhi, and Gurugram linked to M/s Z Estates Private Limited (ZEPL) as part of...
Congress leader Ajay Rai. (File Photo/ ANI)

"Politics of hate and oppression": Congress slams UP government for allegedly politicising Sambhal violence

Nov 25, 2024

The Uttar Pradesh Congress on Monday expressed concerns over the recent violence in Sambhal, accusing the state government of politicising the issue. Congress President Ajay Rai criticized the administration, calling...

Recent News

MP CM Mohan Yadav and his wife Seema Yadav at Mahatma Gandhi in Parliament Square gardens, London, UK (Photo/ANI)

"MP has all possibilities to attract investors across country, globe on large scale": CM Mohan Yadav

Nov 25, 2024
Virat Kohli. (Photo- BCCI X)

"You can't shut up everyone...": Madan Lal on Virat's comeback ton at Perth

Nov 25, 2024
Union Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw (Photo/ANI)

Railways Minister Vaishnaw announces record 5 lakh recruits over last decade

Nov 25, 2024
Tim David. (Photo- cricket.com.au)

IPL mega auction: RCB buys Tim David, Romario Shepherd, MI gets Will Jacks

Nov 25, 2024
Nimrat Kaur attends Pune concert(Photo/instagram/nimratofficial)

Nimrat Kaur calls Diljit Dosanjh's Pune concert "BESTESSSSSTTTTT" she's ever attended

Nov 25, 2024
Jasprit Bumrah and Virat Kohli (Photo: BCCI/X)

Madan Lal says India's bowling attack is "best in the world," lists factors behind impressive Perth win

Nov 25, 2024
German Ambassador to India, Philipp Ackermann (Photo/ANI)

India, Germany strengthening partnership in green and sustainable development, says envoy Philipp Ackermann

Nov 25, 2024

Recent Videos

image

‘Whether there’s CM face or not, people vote for PM Modi’: Kangana Ranaut on BJP’s Maharashtra win

Nov 25, 2024
image

“Adani, bribery case…” Rajya Sabha Chairman Dhankhar and LoP Kharge engage in a verbal spat

Nov 25, 2024
image

“Hooliganism by handful of people…” PM Modi in opening remarks ahead of Parliament Winter Session

Nov 25, 2024
image

Garima Vyas: संघर्ष को पार कर बनीं राष्ट्रीय चैंपियन

Nov 25, 2024
image

Vadodara’s Garima Vyas redefines resilience in para swimming

Nov 25, 2024
image

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha inaugurates blood donation drive in Agartala

Nov 24, 2024
image

Rajasthan CM Bhajanlal Sharma honours newly-elected MLAs after assembly by-elections

Nov 24, 2024
image

Islamabad locked down ahead of protests seeking release of Pakistan’s former PM Imran Khan

Nov 24, 2024
image

“Devendra Fadnavis should be CM…” BJP’s Navnit Rana bats for Maharashtra Dy CM as next CM face

Nov 24, 2024
image

Resilience and hope: MaitriBodh NGO’s one-day workshop aims to transform J&K’s youth and culture

Nov 24, 2024