Devotees do 'Made Snana' at Kukke

To fulfil vows, they rolled over on plantain leaves containing scraps of food

Taking part in the much-criticised ritual at the temple were members of the educated middle class including retired judges, doctors, engineers who had arrived from different corners of the State.

An amusing sight was that of policemen were deployed in and around the temple in view of protests held by some organisations, taking part in ritual.

The ritual, which believers say cures ailments has been practiced in the temple for the last several years.

“Inhuman”

Members of the Karnataka State Backward Classes Awareness Forum and Dalit-Backward-Minorities Co-ordination Forum gathered in front of the temple to protest against the practice which they described as “inhuman”.

K Shivaram of the Backward Classes Forum said it was “unfortunate” that the ritual was being observed in a temple which was administered by the Muzrai Department.

He urged the government to take take immediate measures to stop the “unhealthy” ritual. Such blind beliefs will endanger the devotees’ health, he stressed. The protesters met temple Executive Officer Ningaiah and presented him with a memorandum. The protest received lukewarm response from the public. Some of the devotees expressed their ire over the protest.