Devoted to the Church of the Stands of Old Pilicode Rayaramangalam in the barraragod. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
For the first time, devotees from all communities entered the Naambballam – sacred internal districts – for the first time in the Karagod district in Kerala for the first time and ended the limitation of caste.
Previously, which were previously limited to specific communities, the door of the four shrine of the temple was opened to all sections after a campaign led by a reformist organization.
Around 8:00 on Sunday (April 13, 2025), the day before the Visha festival, a group of 16 devotees entered the inner quarter of the temple. Others who gathered to witness the moment they followed, which meant a significant shift in temple practices.
Kv Rajesh, a member of the group, said that only people from communities Brahmin, Mara and Varyar could enter the space earlier. Maniyani, Nair, Vaniya and several other communities were allowed to enter during the festival period.
He said that the initiative, led by the reformist authority of Pilicode Ninav Purush Swayaamsahaya Sangham, acquired the dynamics with its resolution defending universal entry rights. This was followed by the creation of Janakiy Samithi, which included the socio -cultural and political organizations that asked for Tantri (the main priest), the state Minister of Devaswom VN Vasavan and the administrative committee for the entry rights. “While Tantri replied that worship can pray near the inner quarter without influencing rituals, access to it came after the ceremonial ceremonies,” he added.
Janakiya Samithi confirmed that the inner district would remain open to all devoted in the coming days and strengthen that the change was not symbolic, but permanent.
Janakiya Samithi is considered a moral and cultural victory, a sign that age rituals must evolve with time to reflect equality and integration.
Published – April 13 2025 9:03
