But the horrible memories of those days still linger in the minds of every devotee who fought to ensure that the Sabarimala traditions were not broken by a bunch of atheists.
Horrible, because this was a very rare occasion, when a ruling atheistic state government decided to use its entire might to break the traditions of a popular temple. Millions of devotees were disturbed and hurt.
Many of us stayed up late into the night, almost as if we were following a cricket match ball by ball, and then woke up early in the morning, hoping and praying that the state government had not been successful in implementing its agenda.
Now, according to Janam TV and others, former DGP A. Hemachandran has made some startling revelations in his book, 'Neethi Evide' (Where is justice?), released a couple of days ago. Hemachandran was a member of the high-level monitoring committee appointed by the Kerala HC.
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According to the reports, the former DGP accuses the Kerala government of supporting moves to break the age-old traditions at the temple in his book. He mentions that the government portrayed Ayyappa devotees as religious fundamentalists in a report submitted to the HC.
6/16
He says that the government provided VIP treatment to those women who wanted to go to the temple and break the traditions. (Remember that all these women were left-leaning activists or liberals.)
He says in his book that while the devotees were stopped at Nilackal, the police made arrangements for activists to go all the way till Pamba. Just to provide some context, Nilackal is 18 kilometers away from Pamba. Pamba is a holy place where 'Triveni sangamam' occurs.
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“Triveni Sangamam” refers to the convergence of three rivers, namely Pampa, Kakki, and Njunungar. Pamba is the base station and nearest road point to Sabarimala Temple. The final trek to Sabarimala temple starts at Pamba.
There was a team of women activists, Manithi Sangam, from Tamil Nadu who were also accorded special treatment by the government. He says in his book that he was not in favor of providing special treatment to Manithi Sangam and even conveyed this to the government.
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The government rejected this, stating that not giving protection would be contempt of court. There were devotees ready to prevent this team from moving to the temple. He mentions that the preparations made, were similar to what is normally done to face guerrilla fighters.
12/16
Apparently, he also mentions in his book that the unnecessary restrictions imposed during the struggle were distressing to devotees, adding that several police officers were also uncomfortable with all of this.
He says that he had also expressed his dissatisfaction with how the police were handling the situation directly to the Chief Minister. However, his views were rejected by the CM based on a report submitted by the police force.
We can soon expect comments from the state government stating that Hemachandran's book is driven by political motives, and that it is the BJP and the Sangha Parivar behind all this.
Thank you, sir for speaking about this in your book.
Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa 🙏
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Watch: CPM Workers Allegedly Disrupt Janmashtami Processions, Young Children Caught in Chaos
Young Krishnas and Radhas faced chaos during Kerala’s Janmashtami Shobha Yatras. Read on to know what happened.
Krishna Janmashtami was celebrated across Kerala yesterday, 14th September 2025. Along with the special poojas and festivities in Sri Krishna temples, colourful Shobha Yatras are usually taken out across the state by Balagokulam, the world’s largest children’s movement.
For most Keralites, the first image that comes to mind when they think of Janmashtami is the Shobha Yatra, with thousands of children dressed as little Krishnas and Radhas. Staying true to that tradition, Shobha Yatras were held across the state yesterday.
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However, as has sadly become routine with Hindu celebrations these days, those opposed to Dharma once again tried to play spoilsport. One such incident was reported from Narippatta, near Kozhikode, where CPM workers allegedly disrupted a yatra.
The procession was going on peacefully until a devotional song on Sri Ram was played. This was enough to provoke some CPM workers, who allegedly attacked the tableau, injuring participants, including young children and their parents who were accompanying them.
Watch these visuals
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Those injured were admitted to a nearby hospital, including a young girl who reportedly sustained an ear injury.
All this happened simply because a devotional song on Sri Ram was played during the procession, something that reportedly angered those who have no faith in or respect for such rituals and traditions.
3/8
Pro-Palestine March on Kerala Temple Land: What Happened in Kannur on Thiruvonam Day
On the recently concluded Thiruvonam day, a group of young women staged a pro-Palestine march in Kannur district, Northern Kerala.
While the very idea of a “pro-Palestine” demonstration in India raises serious questions, this group chose to push boundaries further.
They conducted the march through temple-owned land, testing not just legal limits but the patience of a society known for its tolerance.
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The land belongs to Madayikavu Temple, one of the most vibrant Devi temples in Kerala.
Spanning over 600 acres, the temple grounds are not just sacred, they’re a sanctuary. People from nearby villages and distant towns alike visit this land to spend time in quiet reflection, drawn by the serene natural beauty that surrounds the temple.
On Thiruvonam day, it’s said that quite a few people were present, drawn not just by the festive air, but by the quiet pull of nature and the sacred energy that surrounds the space.
2/8
About the Protest
The march was organized by a group called the Girls Islamic Organization, reportedly affiliated with Jamaat-e-Islami.
Judging by the sloganeering and the body language of the protesters, one might almost feel as though those gathered were personally responsible for the crisis unfolding in Gaza.
And let me not even get into what happened on October 7th, because that’s not the focus of this post.
Sorry, Mahabali Wasn’t a Malayali: The Real Origins of Onam
Having spent my formative years in Kerala, there were two festivals that were always close to my heart: #Onam and Vishu.
While Vishu marks the astrological new year, Onam is a much bigger celebration across the state. I grew up arranging floral carpets (pookkalam) during Onam, and we were taught that these flowers were meant to welcome Mahabali, the legendary “king of Kerala.” As a child, I remember having many questions about the legend of Mahabali..
Onam and the legend of Mahabali
For the benefit of non-Keralites, let me narrate the story behind Onam, that every Keralite learns even in schools.
According to legend, King Mahabali ruled over Kerala once upon a time. He was a wise and just ruler who loved his people so much that his reign was called a golden age.
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Mahabali's Growing Power Worries the Devas
But his growing power worried the Devas. To curb it, Lord Vishnu took his Vamana avatar – appearing as a dwarf Brahmin.
Vamana asked Mahabali for three paces of land. The generous king agreed. Vamana then grew into a giant, covering the earth and sky in two strides. With no space left, Mahabali offered his own head for the third step.
Vishnu pressed him down to the netherworld, but granted him a boon: to visit his beloved people once every year.
2/15
Onam marks this annual visit of Mahabali – a time when Kerala decks up with floral carpets
(Pookkalam), feasts ( Onam Sadhya), boat races
(Vallamkali), and dances.
The first emotion that anybody who reads the above feel, is one of anger. I mean, why would Vishnu do something so wicked against such a benevolent, just ruler?
The story above might also seem eerily similar to what is mentioned in Vamana Purana, with a few changes.
CPM Offers Space for Prayers: Viral Video from Kerala
A video of a man offering prayers inside a Communist Party office is now going viral in Kerala’s social media circles.
The Kollam native, who walks around selling bedsheets, had requested space in the party office to offer his prayers as it was raining outside, and the local cadre readily allowed him to do so.
The video was shared by known CPM member Bineesh Kodiyeri, son of former Kerala home minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan.
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Here’s the translation of his post:
“Words have no place in front of this sight that binds hearts.
When a man, drenched in rain, asks for a place to pray, holding fast to his faith, a political party office prepares it for him, creating circumstances conducive to that man’s faith. This is the CPI(M), an organization that protects the faith and goodness of people. This love and brotherhood are the biggest strength of our state.”
"Nice", right? Are you "touched" by this post?
If you are not, please watch the video posted by Bineesh, here. This is bound to bring "tears" in your eyes. 🤦🏽♂
2/6
CPM Disrupted Ganapathi Homam; Just a Year Ago
Bineesh Kodiyeri and other communist workers, now having goosebumps over this video, have conveniently forgotten how the same CPM disrupted a Ganapathi Homam conducted during the inauguration of a new school building near Kozhikode, just a year ago.
Back then, the school authorities were accused of trying to implement the “Gujarat model” of the RSS in Kerala. The education minister, V.Sivan Kutty, even ordered an inquiry, and members of the school management were arrested.
Kerala Temple Attack: Three Days On, Silence from Local and National Media
In yet another disturbing incident from Kerala that has gone largely unreported by both local and national media, the Parameshwari Guru Muthappan Temple in Thachampara, Mannarkkad (Palakkad district) was attacked three days ago.
According to police, the attack occurred around 1 a.m. The assailants broke the temple door, vandalised flex boards installed at various locations, and allegedly attempted to dislodge the idol.
Stones were also thrown at the house of the temple priest, located next to the shrine. The motor in the temple well was destroyed.
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According to the temple committee, Islamists were behind the attack, allegedly led by the local ward member.
The perpetrators allegedly hurled casteist insults, body-shamed the priest, and even threatened to burn him alive inside the temple.
2/6
Police have arrested two individuals, Hamsa (50) and Sajeer (46), both residents of Chooriyod.
They were produced in court and remanded to custody.
3/6
Social media is a strange place. It’s a space we cannot avoid, whether we like it or not.
Some of us enjoy spending time here, while others simply use it to stay updated on what’s happening around them.
Today, while scrolling through my feed, I came across a modern version of Kerala’s traditional dance form, Mohiniyattam.
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Reels don’t give you the option to choose whether you want to watch something, it just starts playing.
This clip began to play, and I watched it in disbelief.
Then I watched it again, trying to understand the mindset of those who believe it’s “cool” to distort an ancient, divine art form for validation from the West.
Why? Why do our people keep doing this again and again?
Once I saw it, I couldn’t unsee it.
I tried to forget, but the visuals kept replaying vividly in my mind.
Watch this short clip to understand what I'm talking about.
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Do you know what Mohiniyattam is?
It’s a graceful Indian classical dance form from Kerala, known for its elegant, swaying movements and deep emphasis on feminine grace.
A solo dance traditionally performed by women, Mohiniyattam is rooted in lasya (graceful expression) and inspired by Mohini, the female avatar of Lord Vishnu.