The counsel for the Sabarimala temple authorities told the Kerala high court on Thursday the Makara Jyoti (celestial light) is a divine star, the vision of which is considered sacred.
The observation came after the Kerala high court asked the Sabarimala management to explain the phenomenon of the 'celestial light'. A huge crowd gathered in Pulmedu, about 32 km from the shrine, on Friday to see the light, causing a stampede that claimed 102 lives.
"Even if it is a question of belief (about divinity), pilgrims should be told the truth," a division bench of justice Thottathil B Radhakrishnan and justice PS Gopinath said.
This observation came when three inquiry reports – of the police, the forest department and TDB – were filed on the Sabariamala stampede.
While the issue sparked a debate in the state, the supreme priest of the Sabarimala temple has maintained a distinction between Makara Jyoti, which is 'divine', and Makara Villakku, which is 'manmade'.
"Makara Jyoti and makara vilakku are totally different. The first is the appearance of a star and the latter is a ritual to announce this. We have clarified this more than once. It is sad some people are still clubbing them together," he said.
{{/usCountry}}"Makara Jyoti and makara vilakku are totally different. The first is the appearance of a star and the latter is a ritual to announce this. We have clarified this more than once. It is sad some people are still clubbing them together," he said.
{{/usCountry}}Chief minister VS Achuthanandan has also reacted cautiously, saying the jyoti was a question of faith and the state government had no intention to join issue on this. "It is a matter of belief. We don’t have any plans to interfere," he said.
The seasonal pilgrimage (November-January) of sighting the celestial light drew more than 40 million people in 2009-2010 and till December the board's revenue was more than Rs 140 crore. Though the shrine is a major revenue earner, pilgrims are denied bare facilities.
Skirting any controversy, devaswom minister (the ministry managing religious trusts) Ramachandran Kadannappally said: It is a matter of belief. Any reform or changes initiatives should come from religious leaders, supreme priest and temple board."