Kochi, February 26 The Kerala High Court has taken serious note of suspected irregularities related to the 'Padi Pooja' at the Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala and has directed the Chief Vigilance Officer there to take possession of all records related to the ritual.
A bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V and K V Jayakumar directed the Chief Vigilance and Security Officer (Superintendent of Police) to produce the records before the court in a sealed envelope "to ensure their integrity and to facilitate proper judicial scrutiny".
The court issued the direction after a vigilance inquiry found instances of unauthorized transfer of 'Padi Pooja' bookings, made by providing false or fictitious addresses, for higher consideration.
The 'Padi Pooja' is the ritual performed on the 18 holy steps ('pathinettampadi'), held on select days after the idol ('pushpabhiskeham') is bathed with flowers.
The ritual is conducted in the evenings and is performed by the thantri (chief priest), in the presence of the Melsanthi (priest).
The hour-long ritual involves decorating the 18 holy steps with flowers and silk cloths after lighting traditional lamps on each step, which concludes with the thantri performing 'aarathi'.
Five such poojas are conducted every month, and participation in the ritual carries immense religious significance for devotees, the court observed.
"The Executive Officer stated that bookings for 'Padi Pooja' have already been made up to the year 2045."
"The fact that bookings extend nearly two decades into the future underscores both the demand for the ritual and the need for a transparent and strictly regulated system," it said.
Terming the vigilance findings of fake bookings and their unauthorized transfer for money as "disturbing," the bench said, "If true, such conduct is abhorrent and should be deprecated."
The court was told by the Amicus Curiae in the case that when the vigilance officer insisted on proper identity verification, two individuals who had made bookings failed to appear to perform the 'Padi Pooja'.
"This circumstance lends credence to the apprehension that the booking system may have been misused," the bench observed.
It said that the issue raised was not merely administrative in nature, but concerned the sanctity of temple rituals and the credibility of the booking process.
"In that view of the matter, we direct the Chief Vigilance and Security Officer (Superintendent of Police) to forthwith take possession and secure custody of all registers and connected records relating to 'Padi Pooja' bookings, including the manner in which bookings up to the year 2045 have been effected."
"The said records shall be produced before this court in a sealed envelope to ensure their integrity and to facilitate proper judicial scrutiny," the bench directed and listed the matter for further hearing on March 4.