Over 3,500 Hindus perform 'made-snana' on second day

Subrahmanya, November 30: The controversial ritual of 'made-snana' continued unabated for the second day on Tuesday at Kukke Subrahmanya temple as over 3,500 devotees voluntarily rolled on plantain leaves used by Brahmins for meals.

The ritual commenced on the day of Chowthi and is held for two days namely on 'Panchami' and 'Shashti.'

The ritual is held only during the temple fair. It is believed that the ritual is practiced to ward off skin diseases. The devotees irrespective of caste and creed take part in the ritual.

Though the temple administration announced a ban on the practice on Sunday, they were forced to lift the ban on Monday, following protests from Malekudiyas, who are supposed to decorate the chariot, another practice in the temple.

When media persons try to cover the practice, the temple staff prevented the electronic media from shooting outside the temple. At the same time, the Administrator also alleged that the media is levelling unnecessary allegations against them.

The Brahmarathotsava will be held at temple on Wednesday at 8.22 am.

CPM flays The district unit of CPM alleged that giving permission to Made Snana at Kukke Subrahmanya is height of stupidity on the part of Dakshina Kannada district administration.

Flaying the act of lifting ban on Made Snana ritual at Kukke Subrahmanya temple, CPM district Secretary B Madhava said that people should be made to develop scientific temparament.

“Made Snana is superstitious belief. It is not right on the part of the DC to give permission for holding made snana,” he said.

Minister for Higher Education Dr V S Acharya said that one should respect the feelings of the devotees.

Speaking to mediapersons on the sidelines of a programme in Mangalore, he said that the issue has been blown out of proportion in the case of Made snana rituals. It is a belief. No one can hurt others sentiment by questioning the rituals.”