Kerala’s Guruvayur temple held “purification rituals” on Tuesday after a vlogger, Jasmin Jaffar, allegedly splashed her foot in the temple pond while making a reel.
Last week, the temple board had complained to the police against Jaffar, saying her actions violated the sanctity of the temple and amounted to defiance of a High Court directive banning videography in the nadapanthal (outer courtyard) of the temple, where entry for non-Hindus is barred.
The temple’s holy water pond, Rudra Theertham, is the venue of the annual festival, Arattu.
Jasmin had shared the reel on her social media handles, but she subsequently removed the post and tendered an apology, saying she did not intend to hurt anyone.
However, the temple authorities decided to go ahead with the “cleansing” process. Accordingly, rituals were held on Tuesday as per the directions of the thantri (chief priest), and entry for the devotees was restricted in the morning.
As part of the purification rituals, seeveli – a procession carrying the deity on a golden platform – was taken out around the temple, and various poojas were held.
In 2024, the court banned videography in the outer courtyard, allowing it only for marriage functions and religious ceremonies.
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The court had stated, “Guruvayur temple is a special security zone notified invoking the provisions under Section 83(1) of the Kerala Police Act, 2011. The videography of the interior places of the temple, especially through the eastern Deepasthambham, cannot be permitted. It should be ensured that no activity causing any disturbance to the devotees, which includes children of tender age, senior citizens and persons with disabilities, takes place in the nadapanthal of the temple.”
