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Allow Music Legend Yesudas into Guruvayur Temple

A debate is going on in the state of Kerala whether music legend Yesudas should be allowed into the world famous Sri Krishna Temple in Guruvayur. Yesudas, a Christian by birth, has rendered hundreds of Hindu devotional songs and is living legend. In fact, in several temples in Kerala, Lord Krishna wakes up listening to his heavenly voice. The singer is warmly received in Sabarimala and the Kollur Mookambika Temple. But several temples in Kerala do not allow non-Hindus to enter the temple premises.

Brief History

Several years ago, Yesudas was denied permission to participate in a concert in the Guruvayur Temple with his guru and Carnatic legend Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar. Rising to the defense of his able student, Chembai moved the concert venue to another place in the temple town and held an all night concert in praise of Lord Krishna.

The Controversy

To allow or not to allow Yesudas into the Sri Krishna Temple has been a point of debate in Kerala after the refusal incident. But none of the major political parties or organizations came forward to support the debate. Recently, G Sudhakaran, the minister holding the portfolio of looking after temples in Kerala, openly supported the entry of Yesudas into the temple. He wrote a letter to the Guruvayur Dewasom Board to discuss the matter and take a decision.

The Opposition to Yesudas’s Entry

The issue is an emotional one and major Hindu organizations have opposed political leadership or government taking such matters into their hands. The strong Nair Service Society (NSS) has opposed the minister’s move. Several Hindu organizations have come in support of singing at Sri Krishna Temple but they don’t have an unanimous opinion in allowing the singer into the sanctum sanctorum of the temple.

The Reality

Hundreds of non-Hindus enter the sanctum sanctorum of the temple out of curiosity and to worship and nobody notices it because they are not famous. People recognize Yesudas because he is famous.

Why Yesudas Should Be Allowed to Pray in The Temple?

Not only Yesudas, all those who believe in Sanatana Dharma and its customs should be allowed to enter the Hindu temples. Yesudas through his heavenly voice has spread the glory of Lord Krishna. Hinduism should recognize the great service done by Yesudas to the religion by letting him to sing and pray in the temple.

The general public is in favor of Yesudas singing and worshiping in the temple but sadly it is the religious hierarchy who put up barricades and stops deserving devotees from entering into temples in the name of caste and religion.

The essence of Sanatana Dharma is Brahman – one without a second. I, You, Yesudas, the Sri Krishna temple and the Lord Krishna idol in the temple all are part of Brahman.