ALAPPUZHA: Unfazed by ban on Chooral Muriyal (breaking the cane) ritual by Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KeSCPCR), the famous Kumba Bharani festival will be held with religious fervour at Chettikulangara temple run by Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) on Friday. Actor and member of Rajya Sabha Suresh Gopi, is one of the devotees joining this primitive ritual parading minor boys with pierced midriffs, despite the ban, in the centuries old festival this year. At least two minor children would be subjected to the ritual for the welfare of the celebrity’s family. He reached the temple on Wednesday with his family and took part in the Kuthiyotta Polivu, a ritual carried out by devotees offering Kuthiyottams.
In addition to Mr Gopi, 14 others will offer Kuthiyottams to the deity on the day. Each set will parade at least two children, spending Rs 10 to 50 lakh. The rights panel banned it on Nov 1 as it violates Juvenile Justice Act. Hindu Matha Convention, an outfit of temple devotees, approached High Court for revoking the order, which is still pending disposal. R. Rajesh Kumar, its secretary, said that all preparations had been made to conduct Kumba Bharani on Friday with all rituals as always. When asked about the ban on the Chooral Muriyal, he said the matter was with the court. He didn't divulge further details. The Chooral Muriyal is a ritual the temple exclusively possesses. It has been conducted on behalf of Kuttiyottam, the main offering at the temple.
As part of the ritual, at least two children (the number can go up as per the financial backup of the person who offers it) must be subjected to Chooral Muriyal ritual with each Kuthiyottam. The either side of the midrib of minor children adopted from the underprivileged families would be pierced with a needle and golden strands and make them walk to temple accompanied by a cacophony of flute and slogans by a bevvy of cheering devotees. The commission issued the order after A. K. Rajasree, a human rights lawyer, moved a petition citing the ritual was in violation of child rights. District police chief V.M. Muhammad Rafique was not available to respond on Thursday.
