PTI
Kannur, Jul 1: After the controversy surrounding Kannada actress Jaimala's entry into Sabarimala temple, a new row has been kicked up by Malayalam actress Meera Jasmine.
Meera Jasmine, a Christian, offered prayers at the Raja Rajeshwara temple at Taliparamba near Kannur.
Jasmine made votive offerings at the famous temple, where the entry of non-Hindus is prohibited and paid obeisance to Lord Raja Rajeshwara, the presiding deity, on Thursday night, sparking off a protest by Hindu devotees.
She was accompanied by co-producer of the Mohanlal film Vadakkumnathan, Govindan Kutty, who had asked the temple
authorities whether entry of non-Hindus was permitted and was told by TTK Devaswam exective E K Babu that only Hindus are allowed inside.
Jasmine offered prayers at the temple after 8 PM without being noticed by security guards but was recognised by a child outside.
The actress says that she had sought prior consent from temple officials before entering the shrine.
However, authorities told PTI that they were not aware of her seeking any such permission.
On earlier occasions, Jasmine had visited the temple but never entered it.
Meanwhile, the temple authorities on Friday had performed 'purification' rituals.
They said that such rituals were performed off and on as part of the efforts to maintain sanctity of the temple.
According to a temple official, the leading actress had spoken over telephone to the T T K Devaswam president, E P Harijayanthan Namboodiri, and had said that she was sorry if her worshiping at the temple had hurt the sentiments of devotees.
She also offered the temple management the required funds to perform purificatory rituals.
Efforts to contact the actress or the film producer, Govindan Kutty, with whom she worshipped are still on.