At the end the ten-hour long traditional rituals performed amidst the chanting of hymns, Subramanian -- a member of pulaya community -- became Swami Visudhananda after receiving deeksha from Guru Nishkanandapuri, chief of Sri Ramakrishna Mission at Ammankatakara in Pathanamthitta district.

The event, held under the aegis of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), assumes much significance as he is the first member of pulaya community to be ordained as priest and the first from any Scheduled Caste or Tribe, ever since Sree Narayana Guru.

Subramanian, son of Kunjipengan from Irinjalakuda in Thrissur district, was working as a telecom employee before coming into contact with the Sri Ramakrishna Mission. He completed his degree from Christ College, Irinjalakuda, in 1964 and worked in theTelecom Department till 1996.

He recalled his visit to Poonkunnam Sri Ramakrishna Ashram as a turning point in his life. He later stayed in the ashram as a paying guest.

During the visit of Belur mutt chief Vishwesharananda Maharaj, Subramanian received mantra deeksha in 1978. After retirement from service he came to Adoor for further religious studies.

Heads of different mutts in the State and leaders of the State unit of the VHP were among those present at the rituals.

The swami would stay in the mutt for some time. Later, he would be sent for work in the backward areas. Meanwhile, VHP leaders maintained that the Swami would be sent to areas where the Hindus faced a threat of conversion, as part of their recently-launched anti-conversion campaign.