Kochi, 26 Feb (H.S.): Union Minister of State Suresh Gopi called upon devotees across Kerala to light traditional oil lamps (chirathukal) in their homes on April 1, marking what he described as the birth anniversary of Lord Ayyappa.

Addressing a gathering titled Vishwasa Janasabha organised by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Chengannur, the minister said the lamps should be lit from sunrise until the rendition of Harivarasanam in the evening — the devotional lullaby traditionally sung at the Sabarimala temple before closing the sanctum.

Gopi said the symbolic act of lighting lamps would reflect the strength, unity and spiritual resolve of believers in Lord Ayyappa across the State. “We must have the courage to declare that faith cannot be extinguished. The light of devotion must shine bright,” he said, adding that similar observances in connection with Lord Ayyappa’s birth anniversary would take place in neighbouring States including Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

He expressed hope that the illumination in Kerala would glow with the same spiritual radiance as the famed Makaravilakku, the celestial light associated with the annual pilgrimage to Lord Ayyappa’s hill shrine at Sabarimala. “Let this sacred light stand tall and radiant across our homes,” he remarked.

In his address, Gopi also launched a political attack on the Congress and the Communist Party, asserting that no political formation stood above the faith of Lord Ayyappa’s devotees. “Congress and the Communists must understand that they are not above Ayyappa,” he said.

Recalling his personal spiritual journey, the actor-turned-politician emphasised that his devotion to Lord Ayyappa long predated his association with Prime Minister Narendra Modi or the BJP. “My faith did not begin after meeting Modi in 2014. I first visited Lord Ayyappa’s shrine at Sabarimala in 1973 when I was in Class 8,” he said.

While clarifying that he does not claim to be a “Periya Swami” — a term used for senior pilgrims — Gopi said he had undertaken the Sabarimala pilgrimage more than 50 times and considers himself an “Ayyappa Swami.” He also criticised those who, he alleged, had mocked him on caste grounds for publicly expressing his devotion to Lord Ayyappa.

Describing Lord Ayyappa as akin to an elder brother in his life, Gopi reiterated that faith remains deeply personal yet profoundly powerful, urging devotees to unite in spiritual solidarity on April 1.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman