Chettikulangara temple to defy ban on ritual
3 Kuttiyottam groups took eight children to the temple early in the morning and made them seek the blessings of the deity.
ALAPPUZHA: Though the High Court has refused to review the ban order of Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KeSCPCR) on Chooral Muriyal ritual, the authorities of the Chettikulangara temple remained defiant. They allowed the parade of children brought for the ritual on Tuesday. Three Kuttiyottam groups took eight children to the temple early in the morning and made them seek the blessings of the presiding deity. The garlanded children were allowed to wear a dothi around waist and later they were brought to their respective houses where Kuttiyottam is going on.
These children will return to their original homes only after ten days as they were bought by the persons who offer Kuttiyottam by paying up to 1 lakh for each child for 10 days. Meanwhile, Sreedevi Vilasam Hindumatha Convention, in a statement, said that nobody apart from 25 members from Kuttiyottam family and children who were subjected to Chooral Muriyal and asans would be allowed to enter the Nadapandal on Bharani day on February 22. It will be strictly controlled by the volunteers. According to the convention, at least 12 sets of Kuttiyottams will be offered to the deity this year. Only three sets of Kuttiyottams are taking place in and around Chettikulangara and the rest are being held out of the district.