Srikalahasti Temple Reverses Controversial Puja Decision Following Public Outcry
The Srikalahasteeswara Swamy Devasthanam, an ancient Shiva temple located near the Suvarnamukhi river in Srikalahasti, has officially revoked its decision to scrap the highly popular ‘Rahu-Ketu Sarpadosha Nivarana Puja’. This reversal comes after significant backlash from devotees who expressed strong opposition to the temple's initial plan.
Significance of the Rahu-Ketu Puja
Following the renowned Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple at Tirumala, the Srikalahasti temple stands as the second busiest religious site in Tirupati district. It attracts an enormous global following of devotees throughout the entire year. The Rahu-Ketu pujas performed at this temple are particularly famous, drawing thousands of pilgrims who seek to mitigate the effects of kaal sarp dosha.
This astrological condition occurs when all seven planets are positioned between the shadow planets Rahu and Ketu, which believers associate with significant life challenges including financial difficulties, relationship problems, and health concerns. The pujas are conducted daily from 6 am to 6 pm, with costs ranging from ₹500 to ₹5,000 depending on the category selected by devotees.
Financial Importance and Controversial Decisions
With an annual budget of approximately ₹150 crore, the Srikalahasti temple relies heavily on revenue generated from the sale of Rahu-Ketu puja tickets. On average, close to 10 lakh devotees perform this specific ritual annually, making it a crucial financial pillar for the temple's operations.
However, during a recent trust board meeting that reviewed the prevailing puja systems, several controversial decisions were made that sparked immediate criticism. The temple trust board had resolved to increase the basic Rahu-Ketu puja cost from ₹500 to ₹750. Additionally, they planned to introduce a ‘Samoohika Rahu-Ketu Puja’ where devotees could participate in the ritual but would not be permitted to use the traditional silver replica of serpent gods.
The board also decided to hike the price of the VIP category Rahu-Ketu puja from ₹5,000 to ₹6,000. These decisions drew severe criticism from devotees across various communities, and even the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is part of the ruling NDA coalition, publicly opposed the temple's proposed changes.
Reversal and Official Statement
The mounting criticism appears to have compelled the Srikalahasti Devasthanam to reconsider its position. Temple executive officer B K Venkatesulu confirmed that the trust board reviewed its earlier decision and, considering the sentiments of devotees, has decided to continue with the prevailing system without implementing the proposed changes.
This reversal means the Rahu-Ketu puja will remain available at its original price points, and the traditional practices associated with the ritual will continue unchanged. The decision highlights the significant influence of devotee feedback on temple administration and the delicate balance between financial considerations and religious sentiments in managing prominent Hindu pilgrimage sites.
