Latest news with #Ayyappa
The Hindu
9 hours ago
- The Hindu
Restrictions on videography at Sabarimala to be tightened
With just months to go for the Sabarimala pilgrimage season, regulations on media coverage at the Ayyappa temple is set to be tightened further with the Kerala High Court moving to expand existing restrictions on photography and videography within the temple premises. The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) is expected to soon hold a meeting with the Chief Police Coordinator to review and decide on guidelines for videography in sensitive areas such as the Melethirumuttam and the sanctum sanctorum. The decision, to be taken in consultation with the temple Tantri, will be submitted to the High Court for its consideration. The move follows a report by Sabarimala Special Commissioner Jayakrishnan R., who flagged multiple violations of videography restrictions during the previous pilgrimage season. Acting on the report, a Division Bench comprising Justice Anil K. Narendran and Justice Muralee Krishna S. has directed the TDB to take appropriate action. The report highlighted two major incidents of unauthorised videography in restricted zones. In one case, a temporary staffer at the emergency operating centre was caught filming the Harivarasanam ritual using his mobile phone near the Sopanam, violating temple regulations. In another instance, several press photographers were seen climbing the railings of the Sopanam to capture visuals of the Thanka Anki procession. Photographs submitted with the report showed mediapersons installing tripods on the Sopanam railings and around the Thirumuttam and the Devaswom building near the Melethirumuttam for live coverage of the Makaravilakku festival. The High Court also prohibited the use of helicams at Sabarimala by mediapersons, citing that the temple and its surrounding areas fell under a special security zone as defined by Section 82(1) of the Kerala Police Act, 2011. However, it clarified that this restriction does not apply to surveillance operations. The court further banned installation of tripods on the Sopanam railings and emphasised that any equipment set up for live telecast of the Makarajyothi darshan must be installed only at designated spots, with prior approval from the TDB and the Chief Police Coordinator, Sabarimala. 'Travancore Devaswom Board officials and the police shall take necessary steps to ensure that videography in the permitted areas at Sabarimala does not cause any inconvenience to pilgrims,' it said. The court also stipulated that only accredited mediapersons, those recommended by the heads of their organisations and cleared by the Chief Vigilance and Security Officer, may be issued identity cards by the TDB. Their accommodation must comply with earlier court directives. Last year, the High Court had restricted media access to the Sabarimala temple, mandating that only journalists with valid ID cards issued by the TDB would be permitted to cover events at the temple.
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
No permission to install idol on Sabarimala premises, TDB tells HC
The Kerala High Court has sought all files related to the alleged permission granted by the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) to a private person to install an idol of Ayyappa at the Sabarimala temple. In a suo motu proceeding on Thursday, the Division Bench of Justice Anil K. Narendran and Justice Muralee Krishna S. wanted the board to clarify whether it had issued permission to any one to install the idol. The Bench initiated the proceedings based on a report filed by R. Jayakrishnan, Sabarimala Special Commissioner, who noted that the TDB had permitted the chairperson of a multi-speciality hospital in Erode to install an idol of Ayyappa made of panchaloham, an alloy of five precious metals, at the temple, without hindering the temple structure and rituals. The report also took note of the distribution of pamphlets bearing bank account number, QR code and mobile numbers that said that a two-feet high idol weighing 108 kg and costing ₹9 lakh was to be installed there. A fundraising campaign also began, on the strength of the 'permission' granted by the TDB, creating an impression that he was authorised to do so by the TDB and the State government, the report said. The Sabarimala Tantri had informed the Special Commissioner that he was unaware of the alleged attempt to install the idol, which was against temple rituals. The Special Commissioner sought the interference of the court in the issue and stringent directions to stop such practices in the temple. The TDB submitted before the court that no permission was granted to the hospital's chairperson to install any idol on the temple premises. Neither was permission granted to collect money from the public, it contended. The court directed the TDB to issue an advisory in the Virtual-Q platform that it has not authorised anyone to install an idol of Ayyappa for worship on the temple premises or to collect money from the public for the purpose. The case has been listed for hearing on Friday.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Fund drive for Sabarimala idol: Kerala HC intervenes
Kochi: High court on Thursday intervened in the matter concerning the collection of funds from Tamil Nadu by a private party for installing a 'Panchaloha Vigraham' (an idol made of an alloy of gold, silver, copper, zinc and iron) of Lord Ayyappa within the Sabarimala temple premises. A bench of Justices Anil K Narendran and S Muralee Krishna directed the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) to issue an advisory on the Virtual-Q platform clarifying that no person has been authorised to install such an idol, nor has anyone been permitted to collect money from the purpose. The direction was issued based on a report by the Sabarimala special commissioner. According to the report, E K Sahadevan, chairman of Lotus Multispeciality Hospital and IVF Fertility Centre, Erode, allegedly circulated a pamphlet claiming that the TDB had permitted him to install the Panchaloha Vigraham and it would not interfere with the temple structure or rituals. The idol would be 2 feet in height, weigh 108kg and cost around Rs 9 lakh. The pamphlet also contained details of a bank account number and a mobile number for the public to contribute funds. However, the report noted that the Sabarimala tantri has stated that he has no knowledge of such an initiative and that installing an idol would violate temple rituals and affect the sanctity of the principal deity. The report also included a communication from the TDB secretary to the Sabarimala executive officer, stating that the board had decided to permit the installation of an idol of Lord Ayyappa within the temple premises, 'without causing any kind of hindrance to the structure and rituals of the temple. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like New Container Houses Ukraine (Prices May Surprise You) Container House | Search ads Search Now Undo ' While considering the matter, the TDB's standing counsel, on telephonic instructions from the executive officer, submitted that no official permission has been granted to install the idol or collect money from the public. HC, however, directed the counsel to produce the relevant files relating to the communication by Friday, and adjourned the matter.
NDTV
03-07-2025
- NDTV
Telangana Cops Recover Five-Metal, Silver Idols, Arrest Gang Behind Theft
Hyderabad: Telangana Police arrested three individuals involved in a series of temple thefts and recovered panchaloha (five-metal) and silver idols, and other temple articles. The total value of the recovered items is estimated at Rs. 5.36 lakh. The gang targeted various temples in the Yacharam and Ibrahimpatnam mandals between February and June 2025. Karacha Sivananda, a habitual offender with prior theft cases, and Shaik Shareef, who has no previous criminal record, met at labour gatherings and conspired to steal idols to make a quick buck. The arrested individuals reportedly conducted reconnaissance in hired autos, used crowbars to break locks, and stole idols, temple bells, hundi boxes and other valuable items, according to Rachakonda Police Commissioner G Sudheer Babu. The thieves had mostly targeted temples in rural areas or places without any CCTV coverage, Mr Babu said. Among the recovered items are panchaloha idols of Lord Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, Hanuman, Peddiraju, Peddamma, Ayyappa, a silver Ayyappa idol, brass lamps, and temple bells. The police have registered six cases against the accused in Yacharam, Ibrahimpatnam, and Abdullapurment police stations. The arrested individuals include Akkapalli Kranthi Kumar, who acted as a receiver for the stolen goods. This recovery by the Rachakonda police brings relief to temple authorities and devotees in the region, as many of the stolen deities are now set to be returned to their respective temples. "We were keen to solve the cases quickly as religious sentiment and emotions are involved. It can even lead to erosion of belief if cases are not solved as these idols were being worshipped on a daily basis," the commissioner said. "Since there are expensive items in temples, we need CCTV cameras in all places of worship, not only to stop theft but also to stop communal incidents," Mr Babu said.
Time of India
03-07-2025
- Time of India
Telangana temple theft gang busted: 12 idols recovered; labourers, scrap dealer nabbed near Mangalpally crossroads
HYDERABAD: A gang involved in a series of idol thefts was busted and two thieves and a receiver were arrested by the Rachakonda Central Crime Station (CCS) police at Mangalpally Crossroads near Bongloor on Wednesday. They also recovered 12 idols and temple articles, worth 5.36 lakh from their possession. Around 8:30am, acting on specific intelligence, teams from the CCS, LB Nagar, and Ibrahimpatnam police intercepted Karacha Sivananda, 52, a labourer from Vanasthalipuram, Shaik Shareef, 38, a daily-wager from Prakasam district in Andhra Pradesh, but currently staying at LB Nagar, and Akkapalli Kranthi Kumar, 31, a scrap dealer from Uppal, at Mangalpally Crossroads. Police recovered 12 idols and temple articles, along with a stolen motorcycle, mobile phones, and crowbars, all worth 5.36 lakh. The haul includes Panchaloha idols of Lord Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, Hanuman, Peddiraju, Peddamma, Ayyappa, a silver Ayyappa idol, brass lamps, temple bells, and hundi boxes. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad Rachakonda police commissioner G Sudheer Babu said Sivananda, who was previously accused in five theft cases in Warangal and Rachakonda police commissionerates, and Shareef, who has no prior criminal record, became friends at labour addas and plotted to make easy money by targeting unguarded village temples. "They conducted recces in hired autos, used crowbars to break locks, and stole idols," he said. The gang struck at temples in Gandlaguda, Upparaguda, Saddupally, Dandumailaram, and Polkampally, sometimes targeting two places of worship nearby in one go, between Feb and June 2025. They sold some stolen idols to Kumar for 18,500. Six cases have been booked at Yacharam, Ibrahimpatnam, and Abdullapurment police stations against the accused. The accused, along with the seized articles, would be produced before court for judicial remand.
