Daijiworld Media Network - Sullia (SP)

Sullia, Nov 26: In spite of raging controversy over the issue, and disregarding protests by those who brand the ritual as outdated and superstitious, 299 devotees performed Made Made Snana at Sri Subrahmanyeshwara Temple, Subrahmanya in the taluk, on the first day of Champa Shashti festival on Tuesday November 25.

After the Mahapuja in the afternoon, food was served in the outer precincts of the temple. After the concerned consumed food, devotees who had taken a vow to perform the said service to the Lord rolled over the banana leaves containing left overs. They included women, men and children, belonging to various castes and regions.

This time around, the temple surroundings was enveloped in serenity, as the devotees were assured of being allowed to fulfill their vows as per the high court verdict delivered recently unlike last year.

As several organizations had given a call for protest and awareness campaigns against the above ritual, police personnel were present in large numbers to stop any untoward incident from happening. The first day of the festival however passed off peacefully.

There had been question mark on the continuance of this traditional method of austerity performed by devotees, after various organizations and thinkers alike had called for enforcing a ban on the ritual, terming it as a kind of caste-based discrimination.

In its order dated Wednesday November 19, the state HC said Made Made Snana Snana can be performed at Subrahmanya temple for three days from November 25 to 27 (Margasheera Shuddha Chowti to Shashti) when the annual car festival is held.