‘Consumed non veg food, but did not enter sanctum sanctorum in Dharmasthala’

Daijiworld Media Network – Chikkaballapur (MS)

Chikkaballapur, Oct 31: Chief Minister (CM) Siddaramaiah revealed that he had consumed chicken along with fish before visiting the Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara temple on October 22. However, he adds that he stayed outside the sanctum sanctorum and offered prayers.

The CM entering the Dharmasthala temple after consuming non-vegetarian food had triggered a controversy with people claiming he had made the temple premises unholy.

Addressing a gathering in Manchanabale, of Chikkaballapur taluk on October 30, Siddaramaiah said that people who do not have clarity about God are indulging in flaring emotions of people based on caste and religion.

Justifying his temple visit, he said that he did not enter the sanctum sanctorum but bowed to God only from outside.

“How come the temple becomes unholy? Any food that we consume stays inside our body for a maximum of 48 hours. Don't people go to temples before the completion of 48 hours after eating meat? It is not right to say that the offering should be done in a particular way or one has to go to temple only after eating certain food,” he said.

“The real devotion is when one acts according to his conscience. We know from history that Bedara Kannappa offered deer meat to Lord Eshwara,” he said.