Kerala: Temple administration clarifies: Yusufali Kechari was the visitor, not Yesudas

KOCHI: Guruvayoor temple tantri Chennas Dineshan Namboodiripad said the decision on entry of non-Hindus into the temple falls within the government’s jurisdiction. In an interview with The New Indian Express, Chennas Dinesan Namboodiripad said: “Earlier, non-Hindus were not allowed into temples in Kerala. This became possible after the temple entry was announced. Therefore, such matters should be decided at the government level. The government should decide on the entry of non-Hindus, not us. To date, Yesudas has not requested to visit the Guruvayur Temple. He is an artist blessed by God. Yesudas was invited to visit the Padmanabha Swamy Temple, but he did not. This would have been opposed by his religion. Yesudas only went to the sacred stone (balikallu) of the Aranmula Temple and did not proceed further. Yusuf Ali Kechery used to go to Guruvayur and pray; he was a staunch devotee. After achieving fame in the industry, Kechery would pray outside the temple to avoid any disturbance. Like Kechery, many people still do the same today.”