 "Why Kerala’s Guruvayur temple held ‘purification rituals’ after influencer’s reel caused stir")
A vlogger in Kerala is facing intense backlash after her reel at the Guruvayur temple went viral. She was seen splashing her foot allegedly in the sacred temple pond, which led to the temple authorities holding “purification rituals”.
Jasmin Jaffar, who rose to fame with Bigg Boss Malayalam, courted a major controversy with the reel on Instagram. She has since taken it down and apologised.
Let’s take a closer look.
Kerala vlogger’s temple reel stirs row
Social media influencer Jasmin Jaffar recently posted a reel on her Instagram account that showed her at Kerala’s Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple.
The clip showed her dipping her feet allegedly in the temple’s holy water pond, Rudra Theertham.
The reel went viral and sparked criticism among devotees and cultural organisations. They accused Jaffar of violating customs and hurting religious sentiments.
As the controversy snowballed, Guruvayur Devaswom, the temple’s board, filed a police complaint against Jaffar last week. It alleged a breach of religious protocol and referred to a Kerala High Court directive banning videography in the nadapanthal (outer courtyard) of the temple.
Non-Hindus are not allowed in the nadapanthal.
In its order last year, the High Court prohibited videography in the outer courtyard, with only exceptions for marriage functions and religious ceremonies.
It said in its order, “ Guruvayur temple is a special security zone notified invoking the provisions under Section 83(1) of the Kerala Police Act, 2011. The videography of the interior places of the temple, especially through the eastern Deepasthambham, cannot be permitted. It should be ensured that no activity causing any disturbance to the devotees, which includes children of tender age, senior citizens and persons with disabilities, takes place in the nadapanthal of the temple.”
Following the row, the influencer later removed the video from her social media handles and issued an apology. “I never intended to hurt anyone or create trouble. Out of ignorance, I made a mistake, and I sincerely apologise to those who were offended,” she said in a statement.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsKerala temple initiates ‘purification rituals’
Authorities at the Guruvayur temple in Kerala’s Thrissur carried out “purification rituals” or punyaham on Tuesday (August 26) after Jaffar’s reel stirred a row.
Rituals were held according to the directions of the thantri (chief priest), reported Indian Express. During the rituals, seeveli, a procession carrying the deity on a golden platform, was taken out around the temple.
#GuruvayurTemple | Vlogger Jasmin Jaffer sparked controversy after filming a reel in the sacred pond of Guruvayur Sri Krishna Temple@harishupadhya | #SimplySouth @Neethureghu #Kerala pic.twitter.com/vq9kHj7ark
— News18 (@CNNnews18) August 26, 2025
Darshan was limited from 5 am to noon, with restrictions on devotees lifted only after the purification rituals were completed, as per India Today.
According to Devaswom officials, special ceremonies will be held for six days, including 18 poojas and 18 sheevelis. Authorities have asked devotees to cooperate with these temporary restrictions.
Devaswom administrator OB Arun Kumar, who filed the complaint with the temple police against Jaffar, asserted, “Videos are not permitted in the temple surroundings, except during marriage rituals and related functions."
He reportedly said purification costs would initially be borne by the temple board, but steps to recover the amount from Jaffar “will be pursued as per legal provisions."
Who is Jasmin Jaffar?
Jasmin Jaffar, in her 20s, is a social media influencer, YouTuber, and content creator from Kerala.
Known for her content on lifestyle, beauty, fashion, and vlog, she boasts more than 1.6 million YouTube subscribers and 1.5 million Instagram followers.
Her popularity grew during the COVID-19 lockdown through her videos on social media videos. She became well-known as a contestant on Bigg Boss Malayalam Season 6 in 2024. Jaffar went on to emerge as the second runner-up of the reality TV show.
With inputs from agencies
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