K.J. Yesudas. Onmanorama/File photoThiruvananthapuram: Legendary playback singer K.J. Yesudas can now enter and offer prayers at the famed Sree Padmanabha Swamy temple here.
The administrators of the temple on Monday took a decision favoring Yesudas after he applied for permission to pray at the temple on the occasion of Vijayadeshmi which falls on September 30 this year.
The authorities concerned approved the affidavit submitted by Yesudas that he believes in Hinduism.
Yesudas will be allowed to sing Padmanabhasathakam, composed by erstwhile Travancore ruler and eminent musician Swati Thirunal, inside the temple.
A special meeting of the administrative committee, appointed by the Supreme Court to manage the temple affairs, decided to accept the request letter and declaration submitted by Yesudas in this regard.
According to custom, only believers of Hinduism are permitted entry at the temple, a major pilgrim center and tourist attraction in the southern part of the country.
The meeting was attended by temple 'Tantri' (head priest), 'Periya nambi' (chief priest), executive officer and other members of the committee.
"The decision was unanimous... all members took part in the meeting agreed to accept the legendary singer's request. Now, we will formally inform him about the temple committee's decision... It is up to him to decide the date of the visit to the shrine," temple executive officer V Ratheesan told PTI.The letter from Yesudas, who was born to a Roman Catholic family, was sent through a special messenger to the temple authorities.
According to the temple administrators, anyone who believes in Hinduism is given permission to pray at the temple.
Yesudas had said that despite singing numerous songs on Lord Guruvayoorapan, he was yet to see the deity at the famed Sree Krishna Temple, Guruvayoor, in Thrissur district, as the temple bars non-Hindus from entering.
Yesudas, in his singing career that has entered its 56th year, has recorded more than one lakh songs in 14 languages. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1975, Padma Bhushan in 2002 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2017.
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