Kerala Devaswom Minister faces row over ritual lapse at Aranmula temple; Thantri recommends purification rites

The controversy over a ritual violation at Kerala’s Aranmula Sree Parthasarathy Temple has taken a new turn, with the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) on Wednesday seeking an explanation from its officials who had earlier reported a breach of custom during the Ashtami Rohini Vallasadya ritual.

It has been alleged that State Devaswom Minister VN Vasavan, along with other dignitaries, was served the Vallasadya before it was offered to the deity. The event, held on September 14 and inaugurated by the minister, was also attended by Agriculture Minister P. Prasad and other senior officials.

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In a letter to the Travancore Devaswom Board, Parameswaran Vasudevan Bhattathirippad, the Thantri (chief priest) of the Aranmula Sree Parthasarathy Temple, noted that the minister was served the ritual feast prior to the Nivedyam (offering to the deity), in violation of established temple traditions. Copies of the letter were also sent to the Devaswom Commissioner, the Administrative Officer, the Palliyoda Seva Sangham, and the Temple Advisory Committee.

The Thantri stated that this year’s ritual was conducted “entirely against temple tradition,” calling the act of serving the feast before the deity’s offering a serious breach of custom.

He recommended remedial measures, directing members of the Palliyoda Seva Sangham, the Temple Advisory Committee, the Devaswom Assistant Commissioner, and the Administrative Officer to appear before the deity and perform the Ennappanam ritual, a traditional purification ceremony. In his letter, he emphasized the need for strict adherence to temple customs and warned that such violations should not be repeated.

Bhattathirippad also clarified that he had responded to a query from the Aranmula Assistant Devaswom Commissioner regarding the reported lapses. “He wrote to me saying the feast was reportedly served early and asked whether a rectification ritual was necessary. I explained that the Vallasadya is not an ordinary feast — it is deeply connected to the deity and follows ancient traditions,” he said.

Responding to the allegations, Devaswom Minister VN Vasavan dismissed the charges as “baseless” and “politically motivated.” He noted that the complaint surfaced a month after the event and maintained that he partook in the feast at the invitation of the Palliyoda Seva Sangham president. The incident has sparked criticism from opposition leaders, who have accused the government of interfering with temple traditions.