🎭 ദിലീപ് ഒഴിവാക്കപ്പെട്ടു: അഭ്യൂഹങ്ങൾക്കൊടുവിൽ സത്യമെന്ത്? | എറണാകുളം ശിവക്ഷേത്രം

Actor Dileep has been dropped from the inauguration of the festival coupon distribution at Ernakulam Shiva Temple (Ernakulathappan Temple) after strong protests and objections from within the temple committee and the Kochi Devaswom Board, and the event will now go ahead with the chief priest receiving the first coupon instead.​

Why Dileep was excluded

The Ernakulam Shiva Temple administration committee had originally invited actor Dileep to receive the first festival coupon at the inauguration ceremony, and related notices and posters had already been printed. However, significant objections arose within the temple committee itself against having Dileep, a controversial public figure, as the chief guest for this religious event.​

These objections were further strengthened by dissatisfaction expressed by the Kochi Devaswom Board, which oversees the temple, reflecting broader community sentiment. In view of the growing protests and the sensitive nature of the event, the temple committee decided to remove Dileep from the inauguration as an urgent step.​

New arrangement for the inauguration

The coupon distribution inauguration for the Ernakulam Shiva Temple festival will still be held as scheduled on Tuesday at 6:30 PM at the temple premises in Ernakulam. Instead of Dileep, the chief priest (Melsanthi) of the temple will now receive the first coupon, formally inaugurating the distribution.​

This change means the event will proceed in a more traditional and religiously appropriate manner, with the temple’s own priest taking the lead role in the ceremony.​

Festival details

The annual Ernakulathappan Temple festival is set to begin on January 23, 2025, with the usual 8‑day utsavam featuring rituals, processions, panchavadyam, and fireworks. The coupon distribution is part of the arrangements for devotees to access festival meals and other services during the utsavam

Dileep Ernakulam Shiva Temple Exclusion
The temple committee dropped actor Dileep from the festival coupon inauguration. Protests and objections hit hard. The Kochi Devaswom Board also voiced dissatisfaction.