Guruvayur temple allows entry of women wearing churidars

source: http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/004200707261756.htm

Guruvayur, July. 26 (PTI): In a radical break from the centuries-old dress code of the Sree Krishna temple here, the shrine's management today decided to allow women wearing churidars to enter it.

Guruvayur Devaswom Managing Committee Chairman Thottathil Raveendran told reporters the change was made as part of the ongoing process of reforming the temple rules in the wake of the recent controversy sparked by the "purification ceremony" peformed in the shrine after a visit by Union Minister Vayalar Ravi's son.

The decision marks a major change in the custom which insisted that only women clad in saris or Kerala's traditional 'mundu' and 'veshti' could enter the shrine.

Men are also not allowed to enter the temple, known for its rigid customs and practices, wearing pants and shirts.

Some women's groups have demanded changes in the outdated dress code followed by the temple, which is visited by thousands from across the country every day.

Guruvayoor temple says no to change in traditions

http://www.southasianews.com/154632/Guruvayoor-temple-says-no-to-change-in-traditions.htm
 
Trissur (Kerala), May 31 (IANS) Days after a panel of Hindu priests decided to discuss the sensitive issue of throwing open the doors of Kerala temples to non-Hindus, the supreme authority of the Guruvayoor Sree Krishna Temple Thursday ruled out any change in the traditions of the famed temple.
K. Raman Nampoothiri, secretary of the Guruvayoor Temple Pramabarya Paricharana Samithy, said that they had a long meeting that ended late Wednesday night and decided that at no cost should there be any changes in the tradition of the Sree Krishna Temple.
'We have a feeling that the devotees of this temple are a worried lot that there is going to be a change in the traditions after reports surfaced in the media after a meeting of the Yogakshema Sabha Monday.
'The Sabha Monday decided to appoint a five-member panel to look into this issue in all temples of the state,' Nampoothiri told IANS.
'We also took part in that meeting and we expressed our opinion that at the Guruvayoor temple there cannot be any changes in the traditions and we are committed to that and we wish to convey this to all devotees of this temple,' he said.
The Samithy consists the tantris and those who take part in the rituals and prayers of the temple while the Yogakshema Sabha represents the entire Brahmin community including priests and temple administrators of Kerala.
When asked if he was not in agreement with the Yogakshema Sabha decision to appoint an expert panel, Nampoothiri said that at the Sabha meeting he had expressed the view that there should be no changes in the tradition of the Guruvayoor temple.
'We wish to reiterate that if there is even a small change (in the tradition), it would lead to a series of changes and that is just not acceptable because this is a temple with a long tradition.
'We can speak only for this temple and the Yogakshema Sabha is free to go ahead with their panel to study if any changes are required in other temples,' added Nampoothiri.
The famed Guruvayoor temple of late has run into controversies. Kearla Devaswom Minister G. Sudhakaran was instrumental in igniting one when he wrote to the temple administrators to see that veteran singer K.J. Yesudas, a Christian, be allowed to sing inside its premises Hindu devotional compositions that he is famous for.
Last week, Guruvayoor priests performed a purification ritual after the naming ceremony of Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi's grandson there. Ravi's wife is a Christian.
After the ritual at the temple, a section of Hindus has argued for a change in entry rules to allow non-Hindus into temples.

Talks on reforms to allow non-Hindus into Kerala temples

Trissur (Kerala), May 28: A panel of Hindu priests is scheduled to meet Monday afternoon to discuss whether there is a need to change rules that prevent non-Hindus from entering Kerala temples.

The Yogakshema Sabha, a body of temple priests and those associated with the affairs of the temples in the state, is to discuss whether reforms are needed after a controversy erupted last week at the famous Sree Krishna Temple in Guruvayoor.

Priests in Guruvayoor performed a cleansing ritual after the naming ceremony of Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi's grandson at the temple. Ravi's wife is a Christian.

Following the cleansing ceremony, progressive Hindus felt that a change in temple rules is needed so as to make the entry of non-Hindus into temples a smooth affair. However, organizations associated with the Bharatiya Janata Party did not agree.

A source close to the Yogashema Sabha said Monday's discussion would look into all aspects and the body would decide whether any changes are needed to be made in the tradition to keep up with changing times.

--- IANS
read full news here. http://www.newkerala.com/news.php?action=fullnews&id=33453

Non hindus barred from worshipping in Hindu temple

Non-Hindus Barred from Worshipping in Hindu Temple
Temple priest objects to the entry of a minister's son in Lord Krishna temple in Guruvayur
Rajen Nair (rajennair)

Kerala, the famous Hindu shrine of Lord Krishna temple in Guruvayur, is embroiled in controversy over barring of non-Hindu worshipers into the temple to offer prayers.

Vayalar Ravi, Pravasi Affairs Minister for India, along with his son had visited the Lord Krishna temple in Guruvayur for offering prayers. After their departure the temple head priest carried out the purification ceremony of the temple. The minister, though, is of lower Hindu caste and is legally allowed to offer prayers but it is his son Ravi Krishna who has broken the law of the temple by accompanying him, according to the temple priest.
read full article http://english.ohmynews.com/articleview/article_view.asp?article_class=5&no=363554&rel_no=1