Kerala’s first Dalit priest assumes duties in temple

PATHNAMTHITTA (KERALA): Yedu Krishnan scripted history on Monday by becoming the first Dalit priest in Kerala to assume duties at the sanctum sanctorum of the Manappuram Lord Shiva Temple at Thiruvalla. In a landmark step, 36 non-Brahmins were recently recommended for appointment in various temples under the Travancore Devaswom Board, which manages at least 1,248 shrines in the state, including the famous Lord Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala. Krishnan (22) had undergone 10 years training in Tantra shastra.