Sabarimala temple opens for devotees
Sabarimala (Kerala): The famed Lord Ayyappa temple here opened to devotees Saturday morning after remaining closed for over six months due to the coronavirus pandemic, with a few worshippers wearing masks and carrying COVID-19 negative certificate offering prayers.
The temple, which opened for the monthly puja on Friday evening, will allow pilgrims to offer prayers till October 21. Rapid antigen tests are being conducted at Nilackal for those not carrying a negative test report for COVID-19.
This is the first time since March 25, when a nationwide lockdown came into force, that pilgrims are being allowed to offer prayers at the hill shrine, which opened at 5 am, sources in the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), which manages the temple, said.
As many as 246 people have booked through the virtual queue system for darshan on Saturday. Each day only 250 people will be allowed inside the temple.
The usual rush of devotees was missing this time.
Though the temple opened on Friday evening for the monthly puja, entry of devotees was allowed only from Saturday, the first day of 'Thulam' (malayalam month).
Only those between 10-60 years, having a medical certificate stating that they were fit to trek the holy hill, are being allowed to offer prayers.
Due to the pandemic, the pilgrims will not be allowed to stay at Sannidhanam, Nilackkal or Pamba.
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Man booked for provocative post against Udupi District Muslim Souharda Paryaya Committee
Karkala: The Karkala Rural Police have registered a suo motu case against a man for allegedly posting a provocative and communally sensitive message on social media in connection with the Shirur Math Paryaya Mahotsava.
The case has been registered against Sudip Shetty of Nitte, who allegedly posted a controversial message on his Facebook page targeting the Udupi District Muslim Souharda Paryaya Committee, which was formed to offer horekanike during the upcoming Shirur Math Paryaya celebrations.
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In his post, Sudip Shetty questioned the participation of the committee in the Paryaya procession and objected to cultural programmes such as daff performances. He further made remarks linking communal harmony with issues such as love jihad, cow slaughter, terrorism, attacks on Hindu processions and religious centres, and alleged acts that disturb social peace. The post also claimed that distributing sharbat or water during the Paryaya would not build trust among Hindus.
Police said the content of the post was derogatory in nature and capable of promoting hatred and enmity between communities, thereby disturbing public harmony.
The matter came to light on the evening of January 3 when police constable Rudresh, while monitoring social media platforms, noticed the post. Based on his report, the Karkala Rural Police registered a suo motu case against Sudip Shetty.
Further investigation into the matter is underway, police said.
