Kantararu Maheshwararu

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Kantararu Maheshwararu (July 12, 1928 - ) was born in Chenganoor, Kerala in a devout Hindu Brahmin noble family called Tazhamon. He is the Supreme Priest of Sabarimala. Tazhamon family is said to be the descendants of disciple of Parashurama.

He is married to Devaki devi and has 3 children. His son Kantararu Mohanaru and his brother's son Kantararu Rajeevaru are also priests of Sabarimala. Sabarimala is one of the biggest pilgrim centers in the world with 5 crore devotees visiting every year. The pilgrimage center was recently criticized in the world media for not allowing women to enter. Both the Jaimala Controversy and tantri controversy were months long headlines in Indian media.

Talking to BBC, he denied jaimala entering the temple and also defended the millennium old custom of not allowing women between the age of 10-50 to the holy shrine. He also defended his son Kantararu Mohanaru in the controversy. He and his grandson Rahul Easwar were criticised in the Indian media for 'discriminating woman'. But they were of the strong opinion in favour of the tradition.

According to Indian law and the Supreme Court of India, Tantri (supreme priest) is the person who has the final authority to decide on temple related issues. The Supreme Court in a case dates back to mid 90's also ruled in favor of Kantararu Maheshwararu, judging his word is the final one. Recently When the Indian Supreme Court asked Kantararu Maheshwararu about his opinion on 'women entry', he replied in the negative and affirmed the authority of tradition. When he was interviewed by different Asian media about the 'discriminating women', he replied "there are many temples where only women are allowed, the media is quoting and seeing things out of context. The tradition of sabarimala should not been seen in the backdrop of gender bias".

For crores of Ayyappa devotees, it was unfortunate and sad times for one of the most respected religious figures in India, Kantararu Maheshwararu. The cases regarding Tantri, Jaimala and 'Women entry' are still pending in High Court and Supreme Court of India.

[edit] Controversy

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Tantri Controversy is the controversy surrounding Sabarimala Priest Kantararu Mohanaru when he was trapped in a scandal involving politics, sex, and conspiracy. The crux of the incident is that he was threatened and photographed naked with a woman and demanded rupess 1 crore for his release. This happened in Ernakulam, in the state of Kerala on July 23rd 2006.

Kantararu Mohanaru gave a complaint in the police that he was kidnapped the next day. But the Deputy I.G Padmakumar came out strongly against it by saying 'no one kidnapped the Tantri' and 'Tantri does many things that a normal person would be ashamed of doing'. This created a huge stir all over in the Indian media as Sabarimala is a pilgrimage centre where one out of every 20 Indian visits every year. Soon the political, religious and social ramifications began to emerge. It soon snow balled into a controversy that got the national attention.

The issue became months long headlines as certain communities in kerala and social, political leaders began to either support or oppose Kantararu Mohanaru. By that time Kantararu Maheshwararu the Supreme Priest of Sabarimala came out in open and also made his grandson Rahul Easwar, the spokesperson of the Tazhamon family. Rahul Easwar told the media that all the events are a part of bigger conspiracy against Sabarimala and Tantri family. He said that the Tantri was trapped by the forces who want to destroy Sabarimala and its glorious tradition.

Later Kerala Police informed that the person arrested in this regard 'Bechu Rahman' is an ally of Dawood Ibrahim and he is the whole seller of fake Currency in Kerala. It is suspected that Dawood's underworld is also linked to this case. He is the second accused along with Sobha John, the first accused. They are booked under the charges of conspiracy against trapping Tantri Kandararu Mohanaru.