Kukke Subrahmanya: Made Snana bundh peaceful

Subrahmanya, December 6: The bundh, called by various organisations favouring 'Made Snana' at Kukke Subrahmanya temple on Monday, was peaceful.

Hundreds of protesters, including students, took out a rally to register their support for continuing the controversial ritual, which has been widely criticised as superstitious and perpetuating the evils of caste system. They demanded that the sanctity of the temple should be maintained in the wake of protests by those who were against the ritual.

Astrologer Kabyadi Jayaramacharya, addressing the protesters, said that Malekudiyas, who form the majority of devotees observing the ritual, have a special place in the history of the Subramanya temple. He said the 'Made Snana' is performed voluntarily by them and they should not be forced to stop it, he added.

Majority of the shops had downed the shutters, aside from shops selling pooja items, silver articles, medical stores and a hospital.

Though buses plied as usual, autorickshaw, jeep and car drivers supported the bundh by suspending their services.

As the hotels served breakfast free of cost, the devotees from other places were not affected by the bundh.