Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran on Thursday said that the Sabarimala temple will not be open for public for the monthly prayers and also the temple fest, which was scheduled to start from June 19, will not be held amid covid-19 pandemic.
The Minister has informed that the decision was taken after discussing the current scenario with the temple's chief priest.
"In the meeting with Sabarimala tantri and Travancore Devaswom Board, it has been decided that Sabarimala Temple will not be opened for public for the monthly pooja and temple festival will also be cancelled," said Surendran.
This comes after Travancore Devaswom Board President N Vasu on Wednesday said that Sabarimala Temple festival will commence from June 19.
"Sabarimala temple opens on June 14 evening for monthly puja. We discussed with both 'tantris' of the temple. With their consultation and cooperation, we decided this. As of now, we are going ahead with monthly puja and temple festival scheduled from June 19," said Vasu.
"As per the present schedule, the temple festival is to commence on June 19, before that there will be monthly puja from June 14. The Arat ceremony will be conducted on June 20 at Pampa river," he added.
Earlier, state BJP president K Surendran criticised the Pinarayi Vijayan-led government for giving its nod to open the temple for the public.
(INPUTS FROM ANI)
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