When the government-controlled Malabar Devaswom Board failed to honour the court orders despite multiple reminders, hereditary trustee MC Sreedhara Varma Raja officially took over the administration of the centuries-old legendary Shree Tirumandhamkunnu Bhagavati Temple in Perinthalmanna, Malappuram district, on June 27.
On May 26, 2026, the Kerala High Court declared the appointment of the Executive Officer, who had been appointed by the Malabar Devaswom Board, null and void.
Even a month after the High Court delivered its verdict, there was no action or order from the Malabar Devaswom Board honouring the verdict. Hence, the trustee took over the administration.
Sreedhara Varma Raja, during the occasion, was accompanied by trustee family members K.C. Rajarajan, M.C. Krishnakumara Varma Raja, A.C. Hareeshkumar, K.C. Praveenkumar Raja, K.C. Raveendranathan, P.C. Hari Raja, K.C. Satheeshkumar and K.C. Prakash.
Sreedhara Varma Raja had submitted the relevant documents before the Malabar Devaswom Board Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner and Assistant Commissioner in connection with taking over the administration.
Even though the trustee and the trustee family had cautioned informed the Devaswom authorities well in advance, the temple is now in a crisis.
The Devaswom Executive Officer informed that he had not received any order from the Malabar Devaswom Board. Consequently, the trustee asked the Executive Officer to hand over the files, but he has not complied.
The Devaswom Board is not taking any favourable decision, thereby creating hurdles in the transfer of power. However, the trustee family has resolved to go ahead with the temple administration.
Trustee M.C. Sreedhara Varma Raja informed the media that he had officially taken over the temple administration from June 26 onwards and would execute the routine affairs of the temple and other administrative duties.
The aforementioned speaks out that the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) government under Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan is not different from the CPM-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) government of former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan as far as Hindu temple matters are concerned.
It is alleged that the LDF/CPM controlling the Travancore Devaswom Board, Cochin Devaswom Board and Malabar Devaswom Board as party branches.
Temples were at the mercy of the CPM’s political bosses. The Sabarimala young women’s entry issue and the alleged gold loot are a couple of incidents to cite. The Tirumandhamkunnu Temple issue establishes the fact that both Fronts are anti-Hindu and anti-temple in approach.
