Over 3,500 devotees perform controversial Made Snana ritual

Over 3,500 devotees perform controversial Made Snana ritual

Mangalore Today News Network

Subramanya, Nov 30, 2011: More than 3,500 devotees voluntarily performed the controversial ritual Made Snana, which was conducted for the second day yesterday at Kukke Subrahamanya Temple. The ritual requires devotees to roll on used plantain leaf plates discarded by Brahmins after their meals.

The ritual, which began on Chowthi, is being held on two days—Panchami and Shashti—and is conducted only during the fair. Devotees believe that the ritual can cure them of various skin ailments and perform it irrespective of caste or creed.

 

On Sunday, the temple administration had announced that the ritual has been banned, but lifted the ban on Monday following protests from members of the Malekudiya community, who prepare the chariot for the rathotsava.

The temple administration also prevented reporters from covering the ritual. The administrator also alleged that the media is unnecessarily leveling allegations against them.

The Brahmarathotsava is scheduled for 8:22 a.m. on Wednesday.

CPM Protests

Meanwhile, the CPM (district unit) has stated that the DK district administration has proved its stupidity by permitting this ritual at Kukke Subrahmanya Temple.

Flaying the temple administration for lifting the ban, B. Madhava, the CPM district secretary, said that a scientific temperament should be developed within the people.

Labelling Made Snana as a “superstitious belief,” he said that it is wrong on the DC’s part to permit it.

Dr. V. S. Acharya, the minister for higher education, said that one must respect the devotee’s beliefs. Interacting with reporters on the sidelines of an event held in Mangalore, he said that the issue of Made Snana has been somehow blown out of proportions. Stating that it is a belief, he said that no one can hurt the religious sentiments of the devotees by questioning their beliefs.