Re: Actress sparks another temple row
by Rajesh Pillai, Canada on Jul 06, 2006 12:14 PM
In which sacred text has been written that non-Hindus (NOT non believers) are not allowed inside the temple? The recent fuss about the entry of actress Meera Jasmine inside the temple exposes the religious illiteracy in Kerala. Misinterpretation of religion and customs are exemplified by these incidents. People may remember similar reports that the Guruvayoor temple authorities denied the entry for the legendary singer K.J Yesudas, whose has sung many memorable songs in praise of Hindu deities including Lord Krishna and Ayyappa. Many people know that he is an ardent devotee (you can feel from his blessed voice) than majority of our local administrators in these temples. Only in Kerala you can find atheists are controlling the administration and financial matters of temple and real devotees are kept away form the temple premise based of their religion, gender and caste.
What is the problem if non-hindus wish to do pooja and dersan, provided if they are not coming for a fun trip, and why we want to discriminate them based on their religion (no way its ones fault) than their beliefs? Why only in Kerala we are so conservative where in other states its not an issue? Even if its a part of the rituals, why it is applicable only in a few temples?
OK. You want to call it a TRADITION which we dont want to change that. Well what is a tradition? We have the proud history of changing the so called damn traditions like Sati, untouchability, widow marriage etc. Keralites are more familiar with the historical declaration by the King allowing the entry of so called lower class people inside the temple premise. If just an official declaration can terminate such a long lived weird tradition, why we are hesitating to end similar traditions still prevailing in our religion? Some of these senseless traditions wont survive the test of time and need to be changed. If needed government should bring a similar declaration allowing the entry of non-Hindu (believers) inside the temple. Anyways, these people (non-Hindu devotees) are not going to deprive of the Gods blessings. They are closer to HIM even if they are kept outside the temple. What again hurts is about the need for a purification rite to cleanse the temple premise because of the actresss visit!!! Again, she has to bear the expenses (around 50, 000 Rs. Yes money matters!) for her unforgivable offence. Just one question: how an average hindu will feel somebody perform similar purification rite, just because you are born a Hindu, if you visit a sacred place of other religion?
