Noted singer KJ Yesudas permitted entry to Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The entry of renowned singer K J Yesudas to Sree Padmanabha Swamy temple is permitted. It was decided at a marathon meeting of the Temple administrative committee here on Monday that lasted for over two hours. The application of Yesudas is as per norms and cleared administrative scrutiny by temple officials. The singer may visit the temple on Vijayadashami Day and recite Padmanabha Sathakam penned by Swati Thirunal.State Shetra Samrakshana Samithi and a section of devotees welcome the decision to allow entry to Yesudas.
“There is no impediment in permitting noted playback singer KJ Yesudas for entry into Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple now. The decision is arrived at in the temple administrative committee meeting with temple executive officer and temple priests. Yesudas had made a requisition to the temple officials and the committee has accepted that as per the current rules prevailing at the temple,” Temple administrative committee chairperson and district judge K Haripal told TOI.
The request of noted playback singer KJ Yesudas for entry into Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple is considered at a meeting by the temple administrative committee and executive officer on Monday,” Temple officials told TOI. The decision of the temple committee was announced by the Temple priest Thantri Tharanalloor Namboodiripad.
“Being a celebrity, the permit for the entry of noted singer Yesudas to the temple is considered by the committee meet today based on his sworn affidavit from the US which states that he believes in Hindu faith and is keen to have a darshan,” Temple executive officer V Ratheesan told TOI. Generally non-Hindus submit a written declaration stating that they believe in Hindu faith and are permitted entry, he said.
Yesudas has also indicated that he is keen to recite Padmanabhashatakam at the temple which was composed by erstwhile Travancore ruler and music composer Swathithirunal Rama Varma.
“Non-believers are permitted to this temple since many years if the visitors endorses a statement that they have faith in Hindu beliefs and customs. Now, the entry of a popular singer KJ Yesudas is decided by the temple administrative committee at its meeting on Monday,” Travancore Royal family heir Aditya Varma said.
Earlier in the day, Kerala Kshetra Samrakshana Samithy led by state vice-president CK Kunju has strongly made their plea to the temple authorities to permit the entry of legendary singer KJ Yesudas as Sree Padmanabhadasan as he has submitted an application with a sworn affidavit that he believes in the Hindu faith. The Samithi has submitted a letter of request to the temple authorities endorsed by its state vice=president CK Kunju along with state members KS Vijayan, Rajendran and district presidents Govardhanan Nair and VG Shaju.
Though a section of devotees had sought for the entry of popular singer Yesudas to the temple, a section of devotees opposed his entry stating that he is from a different religion and that each religion has different rituals and customs. “A Hindu entering the temple is expected to take bath and leave the sandals outside the premise, while such a custom is not followed in other religions. So non-Hindus should not be permitted to temples,” said a staunch devotee indicating that he is regular visitor to the abode since the last over two decades. While another devotee said even non-Hindus can be told to follow the custom before entering the temple.
Though the Amicus Curiae was expected to be present at the crucial temple committee meet on Monday and for the Moola Vigraha or main deity restoration work inspection on Sept 19, he had informed the temple officials that he will not be able to make it this time due to personal reasons. Three-member panel of the Temple priests including Brahmadathan Namboothiripad, E Satheesh Bhattathiri and Cheruvally Narayanan Namboothiri will conduct the second inspection of the main deity on Tuesday to assess the damage for restoration works in the presence of the temple officials While, the Padmatheertham pond restoration work at the temple precincts led by Nirmithi Kendra director KN Satheesh is completed on a war-footing on Sunday ahead of the time set by the Supreme Court on Sept 19.