In these temples, the (priests) act as the essential bridge between the divine and the devotees. They are responsible for the meticulous performance of daily rituals, including the Abhishekam (sacred bath), Alankaram (decoration), and Deepa Aradhana (waving of lamps). Their lifestyle is traditionally one of austerity and devotion, deeply embedded in the ancient Siva Agamas and Vedic traditions. Modern Lifestyle and Media Impact
: Devanathan Gurukkal was accused of using his position as a priest to seduce and exploit several women who visited the temple.
The footage showed the priest taking breaks from religious ceremonies to engage in sexual acts, often enticing women who visited the temple alone.
