Kerala High Court objects to pilgrims carrying posters of movie stars to Sabarimala; says right to worship must be exercised subject to tradition

The Kerala High Court recently directed the Travancore Devaswom Board that administers the Sabarimala temple to take all necessary steps to ensure that pilgrims worship at the temple premises in an appropriate manner. .A division bench of Justices Anil K Narendran and PG Ajithkumar passed the order after it noted incidents of pilgrims carrying posters of movie stars and also performing with instruments at the Sopanam of Sabarimala Sannidhanam. "We deem it appropriate to dispose of this DBP by directing the Travancore Devaswom Board to take necessary steps to ensure that no pilgrim is permitted entry to Sabarimala Sannidhanam, through Pathinettampadi, or to have darshan in front of the Sopanam of Sabarimala Sannidhanam, carrying posters and huge photographs of celebrities, politicians, etc. as seen from the photographs reproduced hereinbefore and that, no pilgrim is permitted to play drum or other similar instruments in front of the Sopanam of Sabarimala Sannidhanam, since every ‘worshipper’, who shows reverence and adoration for Lord Ayyappa, is duty-bound to exercise his right to worship in an accustomed manner and subject to the practice and tradition in Sabarimala," the order stated..This matter was taken up by the Court suo motu on the basis of a complaint that a Sabarimala devotee mailed to Registrar General of the High Court,about pilgrims bringing posters and huge photographs of celebrities, politicians, etc. to the Sabarimala Sannidhanam.During the course of hearings, the Court also came to know from a news article that drummer Sivamani had performed there as well when the sancum sactorum was being opened. .Taking a dim view of these incidents, the Court observed, "According to Oxford Dictionary, ‘worshipper’ is a person who shows reverence and adoration for a deity. Right to worship is a civil right, of course in an accustomed manner and subject to the practice and tradition in each temple."It said that the restrictions imposed at Sabarimala are applicable to all worshippers who are duty- bound to obey such restrictions, in order to ensure a smooth flow of pilgrims, especially during peak festival seasons such as the ongoing Mandala-Makaravilakku festival.Therefore, the Sopanam Officer ought not to have permitted playing of drum in front of the Sopanam of Sabarimala Sannidhanam by a pilgrim, the Court said. The Court recorded the submission of the standing counsel for the Travancore Devaswom Board that a show cause notice has been issued to the Sopanam Officer. It disposed of the case with further directions to the Board to take necessary steps to ensure that such incidents do not happen again..[Read Order]