Kozhikode: In a landmark decision, popular singer Yesudas was on Monday granted permission to enter Sree Padmanabhaswami temple at Thiruvananthapuram and offer prayers on the occasion of Vijayadasami.

The singer’s request was granted by the temple executive committee. Yesudas had sought permission to offer worship at the temple on September 30. It is customary to allow only Hindus inside the temple and in rare cases foreigners who believe in other faith are also allowed to worship.

Those giving letter claiming that they are followers of Hindu religion or producing certificates from Ramakrishna Mission and similar organisations are also allowed inside the temple.

A Christian by birth, Yesudas is a firm believer in Hinduism and is a regular visitor to many temples in the state, including Sabarimala. He is also allowed in temples in Karnataka like Mookambika and those in Tamil Nadu.

However, similar requests to the Guruvayur temple manangement a number of times have been rejected in the past.