The Kerala High Court today directed all Devaswom Boards to ascertain specific opinion of "Tantris" (head priests) whether use of elephants in temple rituals and practices is an inexcusable component and required to be continued.
The direction was issued by a bench comprising Thottathil B Radhakrishnan and Anu Sivaraman while considering issues related to use of elephants in the temple rituals. The Bench also expressed its displeasure over the Guruvayur Devaswom for delaying their response to the Court regarding the management of elephants of its sanctuary -- Punnathoor Kotta.
The court asked the Devaswom to place comprehensive views touching the entire aspects of management of Punnathoor Kotta as an establishment and also the facilities provided to the elephants in the sanctuary.
The Bench cautioned the Devaswom Board that failure will be viewed seriously.
The Travancore Devaswom Board, Cochin Devaswom Board and Koodalamanickyam Devaswom Boards were also directed to place their views regarding the issue.
