Bharatiya Janata Party MLA T. Raja Singh, representing Goshamahal constituency of Hyderabad, has once again come into the limelight for his controversial statement. He has advised the devotees of Ayyappa Swami not to visit Vavar Mosque during their visit to Sabarimala temple in Kerala. The opposition has also started criticizing him for his controversial statement.  

Raja Singh talked about breaking the tradition that has been going on for decades

According to tradition, devotees of Ayyappa Swami visit Vavar Mosque before offering prayers at Sabarimala temple. This practice has been going on for many decades. A few days ago also, while giving a statement on the same issue, he had said that the devotees of Ayyappa Swami are falling prey to a conspiracy hatched to mislead them. Further, he questioned that I have seen some Ayyappa Swami worship programs where people who visit the dargah and have faith in it are invited. Sometimes, Muslims are also invited to join it. Where are we going and are we not falling into a trap?

"Do not go to the mosque or else you will become impure"

Raja Singh further said that Ayyappa devotees should understand that Hinduism clearly teaches that Hindus should not bow or fold hands on graves. According to him, Swamis who wear Diksha Mala become impure by going to the mosque. He said that my request to all Ayyappa Swamis going to Sabarimala in Kerala is that there is a mosque on the way. No Ayyappa Swami should go to that mosque.

Many Ayyappa devotees believe that visiting the Vavar Mosque is an integral part of the Sabarimala pilgrimage. Devotees visit the temple and the mosque for about 160 days while the Sabarimala temple is open. The distance between the Vavar Mosque and the Sabarimala temple in Erumeli town is about 60 kilometers.