Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan visited the Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple on a holiday, marking a significant moment as he became only the second Chief Minister of Kerala to visit the temple since K Karunakaran over 31 years ago.

The visit, however, sparked controversy with Guruvayur Devaswom Chairman AV Gopinath reacting to the developments. Gopinath stated that except for Ramesh Chennithala, none of the other ministers informed the Devaswom about their arrival. He said that many devotees were unable to offer worship due to the VIP visit and that an inquiry would be conducted into what actually happened.

The Devaswom Chairman also confirmed that there would be an investigation into whether there was any lapse at the official level and into the filming of reels within the temple premises. He noted that several online channels had reportedly filmed reels featuring the Chief Minister.

According to the High Court order, VIP darshan is not permitted on holidays. However, Gopinath remarked that it did not appear the Chief Minister and his team had violated the law.

The Chief Minister arrived at the temple in a car and walked straight to the temple entrance. He was welcomed by devotees waiting for darshan with folded hands. CM Satheesan blessed the bride and groom at a wedding function on the premises and posed for photos before proceeding inside for darshan.

The Chief Minister removed his shirt at the entrance, handed it to an accompanying person, wrapped a veshti (traditional cloth), and entered. Temple Administrator OB Arun Kumar informed the Chief Minister that the number of accompanying persons needed to be limited. The CM immediately responded that no one else needed to accompany him for the darshan.

Since it was a public holiday, VIP darshan was restricted from 6 AM to 2 PM. Former Devaswom employee TK Gopalakrishnan, who usually accompanies CM Satheesan during temple visits, had purchased a neyvilakku (ghee lamp) ticket for five persons at a cost of ₹4,500, allowing them darshan without standing in the queue.

Only four persons entered the temple with the Chief Minister. Inside, the sheeveli (temple ritual) was in progress. The CM stood with folded hands until the three circumambulations on the elephant were completed. After the sheeveli, he offered worship as the golden idol was taken inside, and he offered plantain bunch and ghee at the temple entrance.

Melsanthi (chief priest) Thekkumbaramparambath Narayanan Namboodiri presented prasadam to the CM. As he exited the inner sanctum, devotees gathered around him, and the CM chatted and smiled with everyone. He also offered worship to Bhagavati and Ayyappa.

When police tried to clear the path for the Chief Minister’s passage as temple staff carried palpayasam (milk porridge offering) through the circumambulation path, the CM stopped them, ensuring devotees were not disturbed.