{
  "id": 288742,
  "title": "Guruvayur Devaswom should consider renaming ‘Kodathi Vilakku': Kerala High Court",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/08/guruvayur-devaswom-should-consider-renaming-kodathi-vilakku-kerala",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-08T01:44:56.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/guruvayur-devaswom-should-consider-renaming-kodathi-vilakku-kerala-high-court/article71282153.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.",
  "summary": "The court ruled that while the event itself does not violate constitutional principles, its name could imply an inappropriate association with the judiciary.",
  "key_points": [
    "Kerala High Court asks Guruvayur Devaswom to consider renaming 'Kodathi Vilakku' ceremony.",
    "Administrator of Gurubaba Ashram claims ceremony continues despite ban in 2022.",
    "Devaswom committee defends tradition, unaware of ban, no legal obligation for judiciary."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The court's suggestion to rename 'Kodathi Vilakku' reflects concern that its name may blur the lines between a religious tradition and the judiciary, potentially undermining the integrity of both.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
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        "title": "High Court stays Ravi Seneviratne case",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/08/high-court-stays-ravi-seneviratne-case",
        "published": "2026-08-08T00:01:47.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Hindu",
        "title": "Karnataka High Court notice to State on plea to declare Mullayyanagiri Hills areas ‘conservation reserve’",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/08/karnataka-high-court-notice-to-state-on-plea-to-declare",
        "published": "2026-08-08T03:55:14.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}