Prayaschitta Poojas at Kollur Mookambika and Kasaragod Temples; TDB Begins Remedial Rituals as per 2018 Sabarimala Devaprasnam
Thiruvananthapuram: The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) has launched a series of special remedial rituals (parihara kriyas) at around 25 temples across Kerala and neighbouring Karnataka to address the doshas (ritual and spiritual afflictions) identified during the Devaprasnam conducted at the Sabarimala Sree Ayyappa Swamy Temple in 2018.
The initiative includes special poojas and offerings at prominent temples such as the Kollur Mookambika Temple in Karnataka, the Kumaramangalam Subrahmanya Swamy Temple at Bela in Kasaragod, the Edakkad Vishnu Temple in Kannur, the Vadakkunnathan Temple in Thrissur and the Koodalmanikyam Temple, along with nearly 20 other temples.
According to the Devaswom Board, one of the principal concerns identified during the Devaprasnam was Vak Dosham—adverse spiritual effects attributed to inappropriate or abusive language allegedly used by temple employees and security personnel towards devotees at Sabarimala.
As part of the remedial measures, special rituals were conducted at the Kollur Mookambika Temple, where the symbolic offering of Navu-Mani-Narayam—comprising a tongue (navu), a bell (mani), and a stylus (narayam)—was made to remedy Vak Dosham (speech-related dosha). These offerings are traditionally made to Goddess Mookambika. A Maha Pooja is also scheduled to be performed there following the Navaratri celebrations.
In Kasaragod, Karthika Pooja and the offering of kanikka were conducted at the Kumaramangalam Subrahmanya Swamy Temple ahead of a Ranga Pooja, which forms part of the prescribed atonement rituals. Similar ceremonies are scheduled to be held at the Edakkad Vishnu Temple, Vadakkunnathan Temple, Koodalmanikyam Temple, the Sree Krishna Swamy Temple in Guruvayur, and other temples identified by the Board. The main remedial rituals at Guruvayur include Neeranjanam, Neyvilakku (ghee lamp offering), Palpayasam (sweet milk pudding offering), and Kanikka (ritual offering).
The remedial rituals are being coordinated under the leadership of Devaswom Executive Officer P.S. Shanthakumar. The Board has sanctioned ₹5 lakh for conducting the prayaschitta poojas (atonement rituals), marking the first time in its history that official funds have been allocated specifically for such ceremonies.
Earlier, Travancore Devaswom Board President K. Jayakumar had said that the initiative would pave the way for significant positive changes in temple administration and herald a "golden era" for the Board.
According to the Devaswom Board, the ongoing rituals are being conducted in accordance with the findings and recommendations of the 2018 Devaprasnam as part of the prescribed remedial measures for the Sabarimala temple.