The Obscene Dance before Kadaykkal Bhagavathy and the Patriotic Songs at Kottukkal Manjippuzha Bhagavathy Temple

Kochi, Kerala. The Kadaykkal Devi Temple has long been under the control of the CPM’s Kadaykkal Area Committee. In this temple, where non-Brahmin pooja is conducted through Kaula tradition, there’s a Mudi Pura or hair sanctum. The Thirumudi Ezhunnallippu, a ceremonial procession of the divine hair, and Pallippana held once every twelve years are very famous.

Although the temple falls under the jurisdiction of the Thiruvananthapuram Devaswom Board’s Punalur group, the temple is essentially run as per the directives of the local CPM leadership in Kadaykkal. The temple advisory committee is formed by individuals suggested by area and district-level party leaders.

Currently, the advisory committee’s secretary is Vikash from Kadaykkal Sojabhavan, an accused in 19 criminal cases.

The temple and its festivals are used to conduct financial transactions worth crores of rupees. Massive illuminations, light shows, carnivals, fests, parks spanning kilometers in and around Kadaykkal are all allegedly part of this large-scale financial scam. Though these violate Devaswom regulations, the Board officials often turn a blind eye.

The Kadaykkal Thiruvathira and the Kuthira Ezhunnallippu are prime examples of this financial extravagance and cultural distortion.

Cultural conferences filled with CPM leaders and performances by CPM-affiliated artists dominate the festival events.

This year, during the Kadaykkal Thiruvathira, a tribute to communist worker Pushpan was performed by CPM singer Aloshious. Party flags were raised, triggering controversy. As the song “Balikudhirangale…” or O sacrificial altars… was sung, red blood-soaked flags soared on the LED screen in the background. The next song was “Nooru Pookkale Nooru… Laal Salaam, Laal Salaam, Laal Salaam Sakhakkale…” with chants of “DYFI Zindabad” echoing as DYFI flags fluttered on screen.

A tribute song followed:

Do you know Pushpan, our Pushpan? Do you know our comrade? Do you know that saga of battle?

As this song played, supporters danced wildly with liquor bottles raised on their heads, while CPM district secretariat members and their families applauded rhythmically from the front rows, seated in specially arranged VIP chairs.

This was seen as retaliation by the party for the Kerala High Court’s earlier denial of permission to use the Kadaykkal temple grounds for the Nava Kerala Yatra, led by Pinarayi Vijayan, citing misuse of public funds. The visuals of this act, which went viral on social media, were reviewed by the High Court, which reprimanded the advisory committee and the Devaswom Board, stating that temples are not for party programs and that public funds should be used to feed the needy, not to glorify party agendas.

The court severely criticized the act of dancing with liquor bottles on temple grounds as an affront to temple culture.

Exactly a month later, the Uthram festival was held at the Kottukkal Manjippuzha Bhagavathy Temple, which is considered to be the sister deity of the Kadaykkal Bhagavathy and is located nearby in Ittiva Panchayat.

Unlike Kadaykkal, where CPM has influence, Kottukkal is under the influence of Sangh Parivar organizations, and festivals there are organized by people from all castes and political backgrounds. The temple’s advisory committee, which is mostly Sangh Parivar-backed, even has a CPM local committee member as its vice president.

At the recent Gana Mela or musical night, the troupe from Nagercoil performed Christian devotional songs like “Israelin Naadhanaya…” and ended with a patriotic chain song that included “Namaskarippoo Bharatamange…” – a song often sung at RSS shakhas.

This angered the Rakta Saakshi singers or Communist martyr remembrance singers, leading to protest. The temple president Prashanth, known for his loyalty to the CPM, felt more emotional than any Devaswom president before, despite years of red flags and saffron banners being used at the temple. The CPM lodged a complaint, and party leaders commented that if Kadaykkal is allowed, Kottukkal should be too.

Channels arrived following the controversy that RSS songs were sung at the festival, which seemed to delight Kadaykkal revolutionaries. The Devaswom Board decided to disband the advisory committee. Police were deployed to bring down the saffron flags at the temple grounds. Still, the festival concluded grandly, as always.

Yet, one question lingers in the minds of the people:

How can the song glorifying a fallen comrade – “Do you know our Pushpan?” – and a patriotic song that evokes feelings of respect and reverence for the motherland – “Namaskarippoo Bharatamange…” – be treated the same?

Shouldn’t Kerala have asked the communist:

What’s wrong in singing a song that praises Bharat – seen as a divine mother, a Durga – in a temple dedicated to a goddess?

Even in Vande Mataram, isn’t Bharat addressed as Durga, the ten-armed warrior?

The word Utsavam or festival itself means the exaltation of greatness. Its essence lies in expressing the divine and the elevated – whether it be spiritual consciousness or national devotion.

For those who see the nation as a mother and Durga, such songs are an expression of bhakti or devotion. For those who worship Pushpan and think of a broken Bharat even in their meals and dreams, this will rob them of sleep.

The saffron flag is not exclusive to RSS.

Many temples across Kerala use saffron flags marked with various symbols. Vishwakarma organizations, Veerashaiva communities, Nadar associations, Ashrams – all use saffron flags during temple festivals. Since saffron represents Sanatan Dharma, saffron flag decorations are commonly used in temples.

The portrayal of Sanatan Dharma as obscene by modern Marxist interpreters is both a continuation and a conspiracy. The CPM and Pinarayi are exploiting power to push this agenda.