Tantri can't be sacked: Thazhamon

Thiruvananthapuram: The Thazhamon family, which claims traditional rights over Sabarimala temple, has clarified in a statement that the tantri’s powers cannot be questioned either by the State government or Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB).

The tantri is not a TDB appointee but holds his title by virtue of his lineage. He cannot be removed by any other agency. The remuneration which the board gives to tantri is not salary but a mere offering.

The Thazhamon Ma-dom’s clarification has come in the wake of the explanation sought by TDB from tantri Kantarau Rajeevaru, with a 15-day deadline for reply, on circumstances in which he had shut the temple for purification rites following the Ayyappa darshan by two women.  

The statement said the media reports in the past few days had created misunderstanding about the tantri. The Thazhamon mutt in Sabarimala was conferred its tantri rights by a diktat of Parasurama Mahirshi in 100 BC. The mutt was located at Nilakkal till AD 55.

The tantri is the repository of customs and traditions of Sabarimala temple. The rites prevalent at each temple are in conformity with the concept of the deity. Customs and practices are based on the Kerala tantric system and the instruction and advice given gurus down the ages. Therefore, it is inevitable that (the tantri) has a deep knowledge of the system and traditions.

The tantri at each temple has absolute powers over customs, traditions and practices and Supreme Court judgments endorse this. By convention and as per texts, the tantri has the absolute powers to take decisions regarding customs and traditions and implement them. The statement said Thazhamon family is pained misleading statements being made by the officials.

Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran said the other day that TDB, the appointing authority, also had the powers to remove (the tantri). He also said that the tantric had consult the Board before undertaking purification ceremony, which involved a question of untouchability.