The temples are private bodies (much like the church or the mosque). They can choose what policies they set regarding entry into their premises. It is not upto the state or the public at large to force their hand on this - if you don't like it, hey nobody is forcing you to go there. I am not advocating keeping lower castes or anyone out, I just want to point out the subtext in your article which seems to call for governmental interference in the name of the public's welfare.
It has been wrongly quoted in the article that the sabarimala shrine does not allow non-hindus inside the temple, infact all the religions either muslim, christians and hindus are allowed. the best example being a well known christian Mr. Jesudas used visit the temple often.
There are certain rules to be observed to enter into a premises. We should understand the difference between picnic and pilgrimage. Even Hindu scholars explain that temple worship is the entry level for further progress in spiritual development and ultimate salvation i.e. Moksham or Mukthi. The Devine Power is not visibly seen with out naked eyes. It is a faith. Hence why question if a punyaham is {purification act} is done to the temple premises. If we cannot see the impurities left in the premises by entry of a person, why bother for the act done by the temple priests in doing the purification. A temple is basically different from a Church or Mosque. Let us not try to club the three as Three in one. That can be practiced in our mind which is also a temple.
The question of allowing non Hindus into temples is a question of faith and traditions. why where non Hindus restricted from entering temples , in the first place. What is th etradition behind worshipping in temples, that is a second related question. we d not know the answers to aby of such questions. so it is best not to disturb the status quo.
The subject should be examined in detail. A Hindu temple is not a mere prayer hall. Hindus believe in Idol worship. For them It is not a carved stone. An elaborate process is involved in construction of a temple and installation of the Diety. They believe the specific cosmic energy pattern can be concentrated in a temple with the central point at the Idol and enlarges upto the Gopurams. In Kerala the installation and pooja and worship system is unique. Purity of mind, body and thougt of a devotee should be in toto. Just like the temple gives spiritual vibration, human beings also produce an energy around him. For the Sanctity of the temple's cosmic energy's preservation, certain systems have been strictly followed. The system adopted in Kerala is different from other temples outside Kerala. Hence we can observe that the priests will not touch anyone whilst he is on Duty. We can see deviation to this in other States. Because there they have adopted another procedure. So better the rules and regulations prescribed to a temple be preserved. Everyone is fully aware that God is Omnipresent and the Blessings of Lord Guruvayoorappan would have been immensly showered on Jesudas also.
people like yesudas and yusefali kecheri they are stun devotees of guruvayurappan should be allowed to enter and worship the lord . not all non hindus only Hindus and those who practeesing the hindu religion way of life and the board is confident in that should be allowed.
I have always found this custom in Guruvayoor(or for that matter any institution) out of place in the 21st century . When the world is making rapid strides in the fields of science , here are v clinging to blind faith and customs that does nothing but differentiate men based on a religion created by himself ! As another famous Malayali poet Vayalar penned --Man created religion, religion created gods .Between men,religion nd god , v shared the land nd mind . . . Ironically , sung by the same great KJ Yesudas for which he won his first national award for the best playback singer . I cannot find anything but blatant hypocrisy at not letting in people of the stature of Mr KJY whose songs wake up thousands of devotees everyday in Guruvayoor . High time people started thinkin' !
