VHP asks K\'taka government to discontinue ‘Salam Mangalarati\' ritual at Kollur temple

Udupi: The Vishwa Hindu Parishad has asked the state government to discontinue the ritual named ‘Salam Mangalarati,’ at Kollur Sri Mookambika Temple.

Salam Mangalarati is a ritual at Kollur Temple said to be performed in reverence to Tipu Sultan, to commemorate his visit to the temple. The story goes that Tipu who had been to Kollur offered his prayers here. This respect is said to have continued in the form of ‘Salam Mangalarati.’

While there is no documentary evidence of Tipu’s visit to the temple, the ritual of ‘Salam Mangalarati,’ continues to this day.
VHP leaders have now strongly objected to this.

“Kollur temple is one of the Shakti Peethas of the country. Sri Adi Shankaracharya had consecrated the idol here. Tipu Sultan was a communal ruler who had destroyed temples and had Anti-Hindu, Anti-Kannada stand. It is not correct to perform ‘Salam Mangalarati,’ in the name of Tipu Sultan,” VHP divisional secretary Sharan Pumpwell told reporters.

“This ritual hurts the sentiments of Hindus. The ritual is a symbol of slavery. So the temple administration should immediately take this seriously and remove the ‘Salam’ name and offer ‘Mangalarati,’ in the name of God. VHP is making this request on behalf of lakhs of devotees of the temple,” Sharan said.

The VHP leaders submitted a memorandum to the temple administration and the Endowment Department Commissioner.