Wed Apr 16 14:14:25 UTC 2025: ## Travancore Devaswom Board Investigates Display of Hedgewar’s Portrait at Kollam Pooram
**KOLLAM, April 16, 2025** – The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) has launched an investigation into the appearance of a portrait of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) founder K.B. Hedgewar at the recent Kollam Pooram festival. The portrait was displayed during the ‘kudamattam’ ceremony, a key event in the annual Asramam Sri Krishna Swamy Temple festival, alongside portraits of reformist leaders Sree Narayana Guru and B.R. Ambedkar.
The TDB, which manages the Sri Krishna Swamy Temple, has requested a report from its vigilance wing. The portrait was displayed by the Puthiyakavu Bhagavathy Temple, a temple not under TDB control. This incident follows previous controversies involving the display of RSS flags and the singing of RSS songs at other TDB-managed temple festivals earlier this year. A police complaint was filed regarding the singing of RSS songs at the Manjippuzha Sree Bhagawati Bhadrakali Temple festival, and another regarding the display of RSS flags at the same event. A separate controversy arose from a musical performance at the Kadakkal Thiruvathira festival, which featured songs praising the Left and displayed CPI(M) and DYFI symbols. The TDB is currently reviewing these incidents.
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