Sabarimala Tantri calls for inquiry into Jaimala's revelation

Thiruvananthapuram, June 29 (UNI) Supreme priest of Sabarimla Ayyappa temple, Kanteru Maheswaru Thantri, has said there was ''some mystery'' on the disclosure of Kannada actress and producer Jaimala that she had touched the Ayyappa idol by entering the sanctum sanctorum.

Talking to mediapersons following a media report that Ms Jaimala had entered the sanctum Sanctorum of Sabarmala shrine and touched the idol, he said ''there is no chance for a devotee, particularly a women, to enter the sanctum sanctorum.'' No such incident had happened in his knowledge, the Thantri said and stressed that the chances of a woman entering the temple in the presence of a large number of devotees, Devaswam officials and security people, was very remote.

If such an incident had happend, the whole episode, including how and who helped her to enter the temple, should be inquired into by an appropritate agency.

He urged the state government to take necessary action to bring out the truth, as it would misguide the deveotees and also affect the credibility of the temple traditions.

Mr Maheswaru said that he would inquire into the whole issue on his own to bring out the truth and also think of legal steps for her allegations against him.

The Thantri urged the government to get Jaimala's statement on how and with whose help she entered the temple and touched the feet of Lord Ayyappa.

According to tradition, women who have attained puberty but have not reached menopause were prevented from entering the temple.

Recently in a ''devaprasnam'' held at the temple, it was found that women had entered the temple and the diety was dissatisifed with such incidents.

The Kannada actress on Tuesday had revealed that she along with her husband had visited the temple in 1987 and touched the idol of Lord Ayyappa.

Noted film actoress Sudha Chandran also disclosed that about 20 years back she with three others had visited the temple.

UNI CGV SK VP0415