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Time of India

Tanthri tells Kerala high court that his views were not sought while filling ‘kazhakam' post at Koodalmanikyam temple

Kochi: The tanthri of the Koodalmanikyam temple has informed high court that his views were not sought, as required under the Koodalmanikyam Devaswom Act, before appointing a person for the 'kazhakam' duty. The submission was made in response to a petition by T V Harikrishnan of Thekke Varriam, who claimed hereditary and spiritual rights over the post. The tanthri also cited Section 19(3) of the Act, which prohibits the selection of ritual staff by any subcommittee, excluding the tanthri. Earlier, B A Balu, an Ezhava person from the Kerala Devaswom Recruitment Board (KDRB) rank list, was appointed to the post but resigned following controversy. Devaswom authorities then decided to appoint the next candidate, K S Anurag, who filed an application to be impleaded in the matter. However, the petitioner opposed it, arguing that a mere position in the rank list does not confer any right to appointment. The court adjourned the matter to May 6 for a detailed hearing and extended its earlier order halting the appointment. Meanwhile, Koodalmanikyam Devaswom administrator Ushanandini Sabu filed a counter affidavit stating that Thekke Varriam never held exclusive rights over the kazhakam duty. Until 1984, three families — Kizhakke Pisharam, Arakkal Pisharam and Thekke Varriam — shared the kazhakam duty, with Thekke Varriam performing it only during the Malayalam months of 'Makaram' and 'Edavam'. When members of the other two families were unavailable, the devaswom took over their 10-month duty period and appointed staff temporarily. One V P Ramachandran was appointed initially, followed by Rajeev Varrier and later Renjith Varrier. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Car Cleaner Works So Fast, It Feels Like Cheating Make Your Car Look Like New Undo The affidavit noted that no member of Thekke Varriam had objected to these appointments. The administrator further asserted that any regular appointment for those months would not affect Thekke Varriam's rights over kazhakam duty during 'Makaram' and 'Edavam'.