Sivagiri Mutt on mission to make temples accessible

DECLARING that it was time for "sweeping overhaul" of temple customs, Sivagiri Mutt chief Swami Satchidananda announced the launch of a campaign to make the temples in Kerala accessible to believers from all religions.

- M S VIDYANANDAN @ T'Puram

The campaign, coming a century after the inter-religious meet convened by Sree Narayana Guru, will raise demands such as allowing temple entry to non-Hindus who are believers of Hindu gods and lifting the shirt ban on male devotees.

The campaign will begin at Guruvayur temple where singer K J Yesudas was denied entry in the past as he was a non-Hindu.

"It is time for a sweeping overhaul of temple customs that undermine the ideals of equality and social justice," Satchidananda said.