The Sabarimala controversy and the recalcitrant attitude of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has led to major financial crisis in the Travancore Devaswom Board, the autonomous body managing the affairs of temples in the erstwhile Travancore region of Kerala.
Annoyed by the adamant attitude of the chief minister and his partymen who are hell-bent on breaking the age-old traditions in Sabarimala in the pretext of implementing the Supreme Court order, several people have stopped putting money in temple hundis. The general refrain is that the Devaswom Board, which is supposed to protect the interests of devotees, is trying to destroy the belief system which devotees hold dear to their hearts. Under pressure from the government, the Devaswom Board is taking steps which had raised serious doubts about the functioning of the Board. Besides, the Devaswom Board usually earns a huge some from leasing out shops and other services. But this time there were less number of takers for these facilities.
The state Finance Minister has warned of serious financial repercussions to the state if the standoff continues. Vijayan is going ahead with his plan despite massive public outrage and protests across the state. Lord Ayyappa cult holds sway in South India. During the last mandala season, more than 5 crore devotees from South Indian states visit Sabarimala. Last month when the temple was opened for five days, a large number of devotees refrained from putting money in hundis. The Devaswom Board suffered huge losses to the tune of Rs 7 crore. The campaign has spread to other temples also and the famous Guruvayoor Temple Board suffered a loss of Rs 1.5 crore.
Moreover, the police restrictions also have upset those who have taken shops on lease. The Board earns huge revenue from renting out rooms for devotees who would stay there for a few days. The police, in the pretext of providing security, have put restrictions. The police are not allowing anyone to stay put in Sannidhanam after having darshan. Accoring to the new police guidelines, the sale of aravana payasam has to be stopped by 10 pm every night. This will definitely burn a hole in the Board’s pocket.
It is reported that government has instructed the police to do their level best to reduce the number of pilgrims. There is every reason to believe that the stringent regulations on the pilgrims, like pass from the police stations, pass for the vehicles, denying the pilgrims the opportunity for neyyabhishekam, etc. are the modus operandi for reducing the number of the pilgrims. Obviously these steps will definitely reduce the number of pilgrims.
Naturally TDB employees are unhappy. They are worried about the drop in the income of their institution.
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