Controversy takes its toll, less devotees for Made Snana

Mangalore: The controversy pertaining to Made Snana at Kukke Sri Subrahmanya Temple seems to have resulted in a fall in the number of participants, especially those from outside the district during a period known as ‘Champa Shasti’.

Made Snana is a peculiar practice observed at Kukke Sri Subrahmanya Temple and several temples dedicated to Lord Su­bra­hmanya where devotees roll over plantain le­aves with leftover food still on them. At Kukke this is done for three days during Subrahmanya Shasti (Ch­ampa Shasti).

This year on the first two days, a good number of devotees participated in Made Snana. However on the final day— Sunday— on Subrahmanya Shasti, the number decreased. Only about 580 devotees offered Made Snana.

Usually on Subrahmanya Shasti, the number of participants varies from 1,000 to 1,500. But this time is has seen a drastic fall. “Though we do not know the exact reason for the fall in numbers, we feel the controversy could be one reason,” temple sources told Deccan Chronicle.

Local devotees dominated among the participants. “Usually, a good number of devotees from outside the district participate in Made Snana. But today, they were very less. Most of those who participated in Made Snana today were devotees from the district,” sources said.