Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (SP/MS)

Kundapur, Oct 17: Priyanka Mary Francis, DC of Udupi district has asked the sub-divisional officers to furnish information with regards to the issue of a woman, former administrative officer of Kollur Mookambika temple, entering the Laxmi Mantap of the temple without the permission of the current administrative officer. This has given rise to controversy as traditionally women are not allowed entry into the Mantap located inside the temple.

A video clip inside the said temple shows a woman entering the Laxmi Mantap located outside the sanctum sanctorum where the idol of the presiding deity is installed. Uma, who had functioned in the past as the administrative officer of the temple, was reportedly allowed entry into the Laxmi Mantap on the occasion of Navaratri festival. Some priests who were with her paved way for her entry into the Mantap, whereas another group has raised objection to this act. The devotees are asserting that the priests were not in order in allowing Uma enter the Mantap.

Responding to the controversy, Halappa, present administrative officer of the temple said, "Uma, the lady in question, has not taken permission to enter the Laxmi Mantap. According to the tradition only priests are allowed to enter Laxmi Mantap. Legal action will be taken on the staff members of the temple, who allowed Uma to enter the Laxmi Mantap and also on those who have relayed this information to electronic media. Detailed information will be given to the deputy commissioner."

Dr K N Narasimha Adiga, temple priest has urged the DC to take relevant action as this incident will influence the belief of scores of devotees of this temple.

Clarifying on the controversy, Harish Kumar Shetty, president of management committe of the temple said, "The entering to the Laxmi Mantap by Uma, the former administrative officer of the temple, during the Suvasini Pooja of Navaratri is against the tradition. Suitable action will be taken in this regard as per the opinion of administrative officer and the management committee."

As in vogue in several places, in Kollur temple too the custom of presenting 'Bagina', which is considered auspicious, to the women is in vogue during Navaratri festival. On the first day of Navaratri it is offered to one lady, and on the second day, two women get this honour. Like this, on the ninth day,, nine women get the 'Bagina'. As per the custom prevalent in the temple, women can enter the said Mantap only when 'Bagina' is presented to them. The devotees feel that Uma has brought disrepute to the temple customs by entering Laxmi Mantap.

Reportedly, the temple had witnessed a number of irregularities when Uma was in-charge. The gold ornaments offered by devotees towards meeting their religious vows had been usurped by some temple employees. Now this officer is involved with another controversy. When she was the administrative officer, Uma used to enter Laxmi Mantap by virtue of the position she occupied then. Now people say she was not right in entering the Laxmi Mantap.

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