Guruvayur Devaswom should consider renaming ‘Kodathi Vilakku': Kerala High Court
The court ruled that while the event itself does not violate constitutional principles, its name could imply an inappropriate association with the judiciary.
The Kerala High Court has urged the Guruvayur Devaswom managing committee to contemplate renaming the 'Kodathi Vilakku' ceremony, which is held at the Guruvayur Sree Krishna Swami temple. The court reasoned that the name might give the impression of an association with the judiciary in an event linked to a specific religious tradition.
This recommendation comes after a petition was filed by the Administrator of Gurubaba Ashram, Guruvayur, who claimed that despite the ceremony being banned in 2022, it continued to take place at the temple. The petitioner argued that the 'Kodathi Vilakku' and associated celebrations could undermine the significance of the 'Ekadashi Vratham' observance.
The Devaswom committee responded by stating that 'Kodathi Vilakku' is a traditional practice related to the Guruvayur Ekadashi festival, which has been conducted for decades to secure financial backing from various institutions, including banks and the judiciary. They emphasized that the committee was unaware of the ban on the 'Kodathi Vilakku' and that there was no legal obligation for judicial officers to participate in the event.
The court recognized that while the ceremony has taken place in a secular manner, it acknowledged concerns about the potential perception of a connection between the event and the judiciary.
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