News & Notes - April 2004

Elavoor Thookkam practice:  Coming to know that a certain section of the society is clandestinely making arrangements to re-commence in the name of devotion, God and Temple, the most barbarous, criminal practice of 'Thookkam', in Elavoor Putthankavu Bhagavati Temple, near Angamaly, Ernakulam Dist from this year, Poojya Swamiji is taking steps to prevent the crime. The heinous practice involves piercing the skin of 'chosen-volunteers' with sharp metal hooks and hanging them from a scaffold 32 ft high.

It was a result of the mammoth, widespread Dharmic Protest led by Swamiji, Purushottama Swamiji and others – the news was then reported at the national level by the mass media – that the Thookkam was completely stopped in 1987. Considering the possibility of the cruel practice being revived by vested interests, Poojya Swamiji has initiated measures to bring awareness in the public against this practice and also alert the appropriate authorities to sternly deal with the matter.

Kodassery-Mala Temple: A congregational naama sankeertana and giri pradakshina (circumambulation of the hill base) was conducted in Kodassery-mala (Kodassery hill) temple, near Wadakkancheri, Trichur, on 14th March, by devotees led by Poojya Swami Purushottama Tirtha ji and Poojya Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha ji. They were accompanied by Mataji Shantadevi, other sannyaasins and devotees from Vyasa Tapovanam and Narayanashrama Tapovanam. About a thousand people from Kodassery participated in the pradakshina braving the harsh summer sun.

The event became highlighted by the continued operation of a stone quarry, on the side of the hill, which now threatened to erode the very life of the Temple structure atop. Poojya Swamiji enlightened the people about the need and sanctity of preserving the age old Temple which has brought about prosperity and well being in the place over the years. Poojya Swamiji hoped that good sense will prevail and that the indiscriminate quarrying come to an end.

Shankaramkulangara Temple: Poojya Swamiji was invited to inaugurate the 'pratishtha-divasam' (annual function to commemorate the idol installation) ceremony in the Shankaramkulangara Temple in Trichur on 18th March. Swamiji was received in traditional manner with poorna kumbha and ceremonially conducted to the temple precincts in a colourful procession led by two majestically decorated elephants accompanied by pancavaadyam.

Swamiji complimented the temple management committee for the very good upkeep of the temple and surroundings. He spoke on the formalities to be observed in temples, which should be seen as places upholding the culture of the people. A large gathering heard Swamiji with rapt attention.

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