Noted musician KJ Yesudas allowed to enter Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple

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Thiruvananthapuram: Noted Carnatic musician and playback singer KJ Yesudas, a Christian by birth, has been granted special permission to enter Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple and offer prayers.

Two days ago, Yesudas had sent a request letter and declared his faith in Hinduism through a special messenger. The administrative committee, appointed by the Supreme Court to manage the temple affairs, decided to accept Yesudas's request letter after a special meeting.

As per custom, only Hindus are permitted to enter the centuries-old temple.

A Padma Bhushan awardee, Yesudas was born into a Roman Catholic family. He has sung numerous devotional songs in praise of Hindu Gods.

He's also a regular visitor at the Lord Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala in Kerala's Pathanamthitta district and Mookambika temple at Kollur in Karnataka.

Earlier, he was denied entry into the famous Shree Krishna temple at Guruvayur in Thrissur district and Kadampuzha Devi temple in Malappuram for being a non-Hindu.

"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.

Yesudas is likely to visit the temple on 'Vijayadasami', which falls on September 30.