KOCHI, KERALA, INDIA, December 24, 2014 (Deccan Chronical): Even as the wrangle over conversion and Ghar Vapas (“return to home) continues, a temple in Kaviyoor in Kottayam district has on its notice board “conversion” as an item of offering for the Deity of the temple. The Thrikkaviyoor temple under Travancore Devaswom Board has listed conversion in a long list of offerings starting with Ganapathi homam. Conversion is item number 46 next to marriage and and the rate per head is US$2.46.
When queried how conversion found its way to the itinerary of offerings, TDB commissioner P. Venugopal said that this was there from the very beginning. “Some of the temples have conversion in the list which I think is as old as the existence of the TDB. But I don’t think any mass conversion is happening on account of this. This may be to facilitate caste certificates to gain reservation benefits,” said Mr Venugopal. Mr P.K. Sivan Pillai, a native of Kaviyoor, said that conversion was in the itinerary of offerings of major temples under TDB. “It’s not part of minor temples.