Caste Barriers have to break in Indian Temples

Hinduism can develop only when the caste barriers are broken. There were several temples even till the past decade which restricted dalits entry into temples. But times have changed. Coimbatore's mariamman temple allowed dalits in 2012. Madurai temple hired a non brahmin priest. 

Kerala Devaswom board hired priests trained in vedic rituals as priests.These priests have been trained in vedic rituals by Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam (SNDP). The move was obviously met with severe resistance from the brahmin community but the larger society supproted the move. The Kerala Dalit priests proved that any Hindu can be a Brahmin and can gain entry into the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. 

In 2018, Nellore Talpagiri RanganadhaSwamy Temple witnessed one such event. The temple wanted to break down caste barriers and wanted to bring Dalits into the main stream under the guidance of Head Priest of Chilukuru Balaji temple, Sri CS Rangarajan. 

The Temple Chief Priest, Sri Kidambi Jagannadhacharyulu conducted Muni Vahanostav. He lifted a Dalit from Ravuru Dalitawada and took him till Dwaja Stamba and from there, took the Dalit inside and made him do Darshan and Special Poojas.

Sri Rangarajan had as well lifted a dalit on his shoulders and carried him inside his temple. Sri Rangarajan hoped that this program shall be followed across the nation. Caste Barriers have to break in Indian temples for inclusion. Dalits have to be trained as priests and be included in to feel accepted. Dalits inclusivity should be a sincerely pursued program in Hinduism.