News for '-tantri'

HC rejects plea against Christian priests' Kerala temple entry; says...

HC rejects plea against Christian priests' Kerala temple entry; says...

Rediff.com7 Feb 2026

The Kerala High Court has stated that laws and regulations should serve as a unifying force between religions and communities, not create discord. The observation came while dismissing a plea against the entry of Christian priests into a Hindu temple.

Hand over Sabarimala gold case to neutral agency: Amit Shah to Kerala CM

Hand over Sabarimala gold case to neutral agency: Amit Shah to Kerala CM

Rediff.com11 Jan 2026

Union Home Minister Amit Shah criticizes Kerala's ruling Left government over the Sabarimala gold loss case, demanding a neutral investigation and accusing the government of protecting the real culprits. He also signals the start of the BJP's campaign for the upcoming Assembly elections.

President Murmu offers prayers at Sabarimala, carries sacred bundle

President Murmu offers prayers at Sabarimala, carries sacred bundle

Rediff.com22 Oct 2025

President Droupadi Murmu offered prayers at the Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala, becoming the first woman head of state to visit the shrine. She participated in traditional rituals and ceremonies during her visit.

Kerala temple staffer resigns amid caste discrimination row

Kerala temple staffer resigns amid caste discrimination row

Rediff.com2 Apr 2025

An employee of the famed Koodalmanikyam temple in Kerala has resigned, citing personal reasons, following allegations of caste discrimination. Balu, a member of the Ezhava community, was recruited for 'kazhakam' duties, which involve preparing garlands and performing ceremonial chores. The resignation has sparked controversy, with the Devaswom Minister assuring support for Balu and criticizing the temple's 'tantries' for their stance. The temple has two 'Kazhakam' positions, one appointed by the 'tantries' and the other filled according to the Acts and Regulations.

Sacked Sabarimala tantri changes his story

Sacked Sabarimala tantri changes his story

Rediff.com25 Jul 2006

Police said the tantri came in person to give the second complaint to the Central Police Circle Inspector. The police have registered the second complaint.

Nirmalaji Listens To Economists' Ideas

Nirmalaji Listens To Economists' Ideas

Rediff.com20 Jun 2024

'The Budget needs to focus more on social welfare schemes.'

Sabarimala Opens For Mandala-Makaravilak Pilgrimage

Sabarimala Opens For Mandala-Makaravilak Pilgrimage

Rediff.com17 Nov 2022

Temple Melshanthi N Parameswaran Namboothiri opened the Sabarimala temple under the Tantri Kandararu Rajeevaru for Mandala-Makaravilak Pilgrimage on Wednesday, November 16, 2022.

Gold-plated roof of Kerala's Sabarimala temple found leaking

Gold-plated roof of Kerala's Sabarimala temple found leaking

Rediff.com26 Jul 2022

The Travancore Devaswom Board, the apex temple body which manages the shrine, on Tuesday said a portion of the gold-plated roof would be opened on August 3 to take stock of the leak.

Padmanabhaswamy temple shut till Oct 15 after staff tests positive

Padmanabhaswamy temple shut till Oct 15 after staff tests positive

Rediff.com9 Oct 2020

According to the temple authorities, daily poojas will be held by Tantris but devotees will not be allowed inside the temple till October 15.

Sabarimala stir our agenda, golden opportunity for us: BJP Kerala chief

Sabarimala stir our agenda, golden opportunity for us: BJP Kerala chief

Rediff.com5 Nov 2018

However, Head priest Tantri Kandararu Rajeevaru told reporters at the temple that he had only consulted senior tantri Kandararu Mohanararu on the matter.

Dalit woman puts off plan to visit Sabarimala due to heavy rain

Dalit woman puts off plan to visit Sabarimala due to heavy rain

Rediff.com20 Oct 2018

Police had earlier said it was verifying the background of the woman, said to be in her late 30s, and a decision regarding her trekking would be taken on Sunday morning.

Devotees trek to Sabarimala, pray at Lord Ayyappa temple

Devotees trek to Sabarimala, pray at Lord Ayyappa temple

Rediff.com16 Nov 2020

It is the first annual pilgrimage season at the hill temple after the coronavirus outbreak and authorities have decided to restrict the number of devotees to 1,000 per day and to 2,000 on weekends.

Avalanche kills 6 people in J&K

Avalanche kills 6 people in J&K

Rediff.com8 Feb 2008

Four persons were killed while scores of others were rescued when avalanches struck the Kashmir Valley after unprecedented snowfall.

Row over RSS leader, board member 'breaking' Sabarimala tradition

Row over RSS leader, board member 'breaking' Sabarimala tradition

Rediff.com6 Nov 2018

The RSS leader said he had not violated any customs and claimed that he ascended the 18 steps carrying the sacred offerings.

Women can now enter Padmanabhaswamy temple in salwar kameez

Women can now enter Padmanabhaswamy temple in salwar kameez

Rediff.com29 Nov 2016

But richest Hindu temple in the world will not permit jeans, tights and such dress.

Ranveer is on the Tinkle cover

Ranveer is on the Tinkle cover

Rediff.com10 Jan 2019

Tinkle Comics featured Ranveer Singh on their cover with Suppandi and Shikari Shambu.

Congress, BJP join Ayyappa devotees' protest

Congress, BJP join Ayyappa devotees' protest

Rediff.com17 Oct 2018

The base camps of Pamba and Nilackal witnessed intensified protests as the Lord Ayyappa temple opens for the five-day monthly pooja on Wednesday evening, for the first time after the landmark top court verdict.

Sabarimala: 2 women return after reaching hilltop amid protests

Sabarimala: 2 women return after reaching hilltop amid protests

Rediff.com19 Oct 2018

The devotees, including senior citizens and children, protested against the entry of women of menstrual age group into the hill shrine.

'My art is my God and the stage is my temple'

'My art is my God and the stage is my temple'

Rediff.com6 Apr 2022

'Art has no religion. An artist is an artist.'

'If I get a complaint I will take action'

'If I get a complaint I will take action'

Rediff.com11 Jun 2007

'Ravikrishna's school certificate proclaims him a Hindu, his passport says he is a Hindu. What authority has the priest to overrule the Government of India, which issued the passport,' asks Kerala Dewasom Minister G Sudhakaran.

Aamir as Shikari Shambu? Comic book heroes we want onscreen!

Aamir as Shikari Shambu? Comic book heroes we want onscreen!

Rediff.com5 Feb 2015

Oh the possibilities!

Sabari row: Temple may ask for probe

Sabari row: Temple may ask for probe

Rediff.com29 Jun 2006

The board will decide future action in a meeting soon.

SC to hear Sabarimala review pleas on Jan 22, refuses stay on verdict

SC to hear Sabarimala review pleas on Jan 22, refuses stay on verdict

Rediff.com13 Nov 2018

"All the review petitions along with all pending applications will be heard in open court on 22nd January, 2019, before the appropriate Bench. We make it clear that there is no stay of the judgment and order of this Court dated 28th September, 2018 passed in Writ Petition (Civil) No.373 of 2006 (Indian Young Lawyers Association & Ors. vs. The State of Kerala & Ors)," the order said.

Follow traditions, enter temple:  Kerala priest

Follow traditions, enter temple: Kerala priest

Rediff.com30 May 2007

Barring entry to non-Hindu devotees should be construed as 'contempt on Hindu religion' and anyone who is ready to follow the temple traditions should be allowed to worship, Bhattathiripad said.

Singer Yesudas allowed to pray at Padmanabhaswamy Temple

Singer Yesudas allowed to pray at Padmanabhaswamy Temple

Rediff.com19 Sep 2017

According to custom, only believers of Hinduism are permitted entry at the temple, a major pilgrim centre and tourist attraction in the southern part of the country.

#MeToo hits Rahul Easwar; Activist dismisses charge

#MeToo hits Rahul Easwar; Activist dismisses charge

Rediff.com30 Oct 2018

Easwar claimed the allegation was a mere attack from people opposed to his ideology and meant for "political manipulation", and added "I dismiss it".

Sabarimala: Massive BJP protest rally

Sabarimala: Massive BJP protest rally

Rediff.com16 Oct 2018

'We will meet each villager in Kerala and chalk out a massive agitation plan to protect the Sabarimala temple.'

Sabarimala violence: Politically sensitive Kannur boils over

Sabarimala violence: Politically sensitive Kannur boils over

Rediff.com5 Jan 2019

The attacks, which disrupted normal life, marked return of political violence on large-scale after a gap of over a year in Kannur.

What SC verdict on world's richest temple means

What SC verdict on world's richest temple means

Rediff.com25 Jul 2020

'When you have a committee, there will not be any autocracy.' 'It means one person cannot take any decision on the temple.'

Police on high alert, 1,500 cops, commando team deployed at Sabarimala

Police on high alert, 1,500 cops, commando team deployed at Sabarimala

Rediff.com3 Nov 2018

Prohibitory order under section 144 CrPc banning assembly of four or more people will come into force at Pamba, Nilackal, Elavungal, and Sannidhanam from midnight Saturday till November 6 midnight.

'Not even the Supreme Court can question our beliefs'

'Not even the Supreme Court can question our beliefs'

Rediff.com11 Oct 2018

'The Supreme Court should not have come out with this kind of order and in my opinion, the court should correct it.'

Sabarimala: Women to be kept out from Pampa river during ritual bath

Sabarimala: Women to be kept out from Pampa river during ritual bath

Rediff.com21 Mar 2016

Sabarimala temple authorities decided to regulate presence of women of menstrual age in and around River Pampa during the aarattu (ritualistic bath) ceremony on March 23.

Mr PM, come out of political Vipassana and speak the truth: Congress on 'Lalitgate'

Mr PM, come out of political Vipassana and speak the truth: Congress on 'Lalitgate'

Rediff.com18 Jun 2015

The Congress on Thursday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his "silence" on the Lalit Modi controversy, saying he should come out of his 'meditation' and answer the nation as he too is "liable".

Activist Rahul Easwar arrested for 'spill blood' remark on Sabarimala, released on bail

Activist Rahul Easwar arrested for 'spill blood' remark on Sabarimala, released on bail

Rediff.com28 Oct 2018

'Had their blood fallen on the floor of the temple, that would have forced the priests to shut the shrine for three days for purification rituals'

Woman scribe makes failed bid to visit Sabarimala, Kerala observes 'hartal'

Woman scribe makes failed bid to visit Sabarimala, Kerala observes 'hartal'

Rediff.com18 Oct 2018

Sporadic violence marked the 'hartal' called by Hindu right groups in Kerala over Wednesday's police action against those opposing entry of women of menstrual age into the shrine.

Protests grow against Sabarimala verdict, review plea filed in SC

Protests grow against Sabarimala verdict, review plea filed in SC

Rediff.com8 Oct 2018

CM Pinnarayi Vijayan said 'deliberate' efforts were being made to destroy the state's unity and secular fabric.

Amid protests, third woman breaches ban at Sabarimala

Amid protests, third woman breaches ban at Sabarimala

Rediff.com4 Jan 2019

Sasikala, said she was not allowed to undertake the trek to the shrine and sent back by the police, official sources said that she entered the sanctum sanctorum and offered prayers.

SC allows entry of women of all ages in Sabarimala temple

SC allows entry of women of all ages in Sabarimala temple

Rediff.com28 Sep 2018

The apex court said banning entry of women to Kerala's Sabrimala temple is gender discrimination and the practice violates rights of Hindu women.

Sabarimala doors open, 30-year-old woman with family at Pamba

Sabarimala doors open, 30-year-old woman with family at Pamba

Rediff.com5 Nov 2018

However, the woman told police that she was not keen to visit the shrine and admitted that she had come to Pamba following pressure from her husband.

Sabarimala all-party meet fails, Kerala govt firm on implementing SC verdict

Sabarimala all-party meet fails, Kerala govt firm on implementing SC verdict

Rediff.com15 Nov 2018

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan pointed out that since the court had not stayed its September 28 verdict, there was no other option but to allow women in the age group of 10-50 years during the upcoming pilgrim season.