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Karnataka
temple's weird ritual draws protests
Sunday December 12, 2010 06:51:56 PM,
IANS
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Bangalore:
A bizarre tradition of people rolling over plantain leaves with
leftovers of meals eaten by Brahmins at a Karnataka temple to cure
themselves of skin ailments is igniting protests.
Called the 'urulu seve' (roll over ritual), the tradition at the Kukke Subramanya temple in the coastal district of Dakshina
Kannada is said to have been followed for 400 years, according to
temple authorities.
The ritual is undertaken in the belief that it will cure people of
skin ailments. It is performed on the annual 'shasthi' - sixth day
of the month - festival.
The three-day festival concluded Saturday and the ritual was
performed Friday by many men and women amid protests by a small
group of people.
Now, several organisations in Karnataka have begun a campaign to
ban the practice saying it is inhuman.
Though people from all castes, including Brahmins, perform the
ritual, a majority of them are said to be Dalits and those from
backward classes.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati, a Dalit herself, wants it
banned. She issued a statement to this effect in Lucknow Saturday.
Temple authorities say they do not force anyone to perform the
ritual.
The protesters were upset that the practice was allowed, though
the temple was under the state government's Muzrai (religious
affairs) department.
Muzrai Minister V.S. Acharya termed the practice "innocuous". He
said no one was forced by the temple authorities to perform the
ritual. "It is a matter of belief," he said.
The temple, about 300 km from here, is devoted to Subramanya. The
idol of Subramanya is in the shape of a nine-headed serpent.
Legend has it that Subramanya protected serpent god Vasuki who had
taken shelter in a cave at Kukke from Garuda.
A well-known ritual performed at the temple is 'sarpa samskara' to
ward off the effect of 'sarpa dosha' - curse of the serpent god.
Among the celebrities who have prayed at the temple is cricket
legend Sachin Tendulkar.
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