Dhoti-lending facility to be scrapped

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple authorities have decided to scrap the dhoti- lending facility at the temple from next April."The decision is in the wake of the numerous complaints received over the poor service and overcharging by the contractors,’’ said V K Harikumar, executive officer of the temple."The term of the existing three major contractors will expire by next April. We have also decided to give new contracts for the remaining services on strict terms and conditions. This will enable us to cancel the contracts if any violation is found,’’ Harikumar said.The temple management has also decided to form a monitoring committee to check the activities of the contractors. "The five-member committee will have high-level officials of the temple and representatives of staff organisations as its members,’’ said Harikumar.More cloak rooms will also be opened at the East Nada, where majority of the devotees arrive, he said.Vinod, a local and regular visitor to the temple, said the devotees are much disappointed over the recent happenings in the temple. "Every day, we witness some untoward incident in the temple. We welcome any decision by the temple management to prevent the devotees from being fleeced. More such actions are needed,’’ he said.But the decision has not brought any cheers to many devotees."The temple authorities are not taking any strict action against the contractors who violate rules and defile the sanctity of the temple,’’ said Gopal, convenor of the Sree Padmanabha Bhakta Samithi, an organisation of Sree Padmanabha devotees.Ever since the temple attracted international attention following the discovery of the riches in the secret vaults, it is witnessing a heavy rush of devotees. But some erring  contractors, who fleece the devotees, have brought much disgrace to the worship centre.The latest being the incident on Wednesday in which a group of local people blocked the contractor who sold ‘appam’ and ‘aravana prasadams’ below the prescribed quantities."The contractor was assigned to sell ‘unniyappam’ and ‘aravana’ only. But he also sells ‘koottupayasam’ and ‘panchamritham,’ that too, of substandard quality,’’ Gopal said."And what’s more serious is that these ‘prasadams’ are not offered to the Lord  before they are sold. This is against the traditional customs and practices in Hindu temples in the state,’’ he said.