Mandatory ‘Ganapathi homam’ amidst myth controversy, Devaswom refutes connection

Thiruvananthapuram: The Travancore Devaswom Board has made it mandatory that a ‘Ganapathi homam’ (Ganapathi pooja) be held in all the temples under its purview except Sabarimala on Vinayaka Chaturthi (festival commemorating the birth of Lord Ganesha). Notwithstanding this, the board maintains that this decision was not influenced by the myth controversy rife in the state at present. 

However, this first of its kind order is an indication that the two-day ‘Ganapathi homam’ shows the Devaswom board's stance in the matter. The ‘homam’ is compulsory on August 20, Sunday, the first day of Malayalam month Chingam and the 2023 date for Vinayaka Chathurthi.

There are 1254 temples under the Devaswom board. Although ‘homams’ have been conducted in the past, this year’s Vinayaka Chathurthi celebrations will be much more widespread. But the board has never issued any order mandating this in the past. 

The Devaswom board clarified that it is trying to compete with private temples through reform including making online services more prevalent. This is also the motivation behind the ‘Ganapathi homam’ mandate issued to all temples, the board explains. 

The order also mentions that the ‘homams’ should be given publicity and booking facilities be made available. Arrangements for the same are to be carried out by the administrative officers and sub-group officers.

There will also be an inspection to check if the ‘homams’ are conducted as per the board’s directive. Besides the vigilance wing, Assistant Devaswom Commissioner and Deputy Devaswom Commissioner, etc. have been assigned this responsibility.