THRISSUR, INDIA, November 7, 2017 (Kaumudi Global): The Malabar Devaswom Board [see definition below] has taken over the Parthasarathy temple in Guruvayoor despite oppositions from various Hindu organizations. Though the board had come to take over the temple earlier, they had to return following strong oppositions. Malabar Devaswom Board officials arrived Tuesday morning. A team of police also arrived to keep the situation under control. A battalion of police arrived at the spot by around 6.00 am.
The temple was being controlled by an administrative committee set up by the people. The temple employees had asked the devaswom board to take charge of the temple eight years ago when allegations arose against the administrative committee. Subsequently the case went to the Kerala High Court and the Supreme Court. The court passed an order for the devaswom board to take charge of the administration of the temple in April, following which the devaswom board officials took over the charge of the temple on April 26. Nevertheless, the administrative committee refused to hand over the keys of the temple.
Wikipedia: “Devaswom (Sanskrit: Property of God) are socio-religious trusts in India that comprise members nominated by both government and community. Their aim is to manage Hindu temples and their assets and to ensure their smooth operation in accordance with traditional rituals and customs. The devaswom system notably exists in the state of Kerala, where most temples are either managed by Government of Kerala-controlled devaswoms or formed by private bodies/families. The properties of each temple are deemed to be the personal property of the presiding deity the temple and are managed through a body of trustees who bear allegiance to the presiding deity.”