The controversial 'Made Snana', an uncivilised practice in which people from the Scheduled Tribes and lower castes
roll over the plantain leaves and food leftovers of lunch served to Brahmins in the temple town of Kukke Subrahmanya
in Dakshina Kannada district took place under police protection on Sunday, as more than 200 devotees turned up to
fulfill their vows.
The Supreme Court had on Friday stayed the order passed on November 8 by the High Court of Karnataka on the
The Supreme Court had on Friday stayed the order passed on November 8 by the High Court of Karnataka on the
modified 'Made Snana' ritual. There is a belief that 'Made Snana' cleanses impurity and cures skin ailments. Every
year, people take a vow at the Lord Subrahmanya temple, Kukke, in Western Ghats to perform 'Made Snana'. Last
year, as more than 500 people turned up for the ritual, the issue received national attention with progressive thinkers
and rationalists questioning the practice.
Subsequently, the government was dragged to the court for promoting 'Made Snana'. Incidentally, the Lord
Subrahmanya temple, which comes under the purview of the state's Religious Endowments Department, had
imposed a voluntary ban on 'Made Snana' in the wake of strong objection from the civil society. However, last year,
the government permitted the temple to allow 'Made Snana' following repeated demands from pilgrims, who had
taken a vow to perform the ritual.
The high court had sought the government's response on the matter. The government submitted a modified ritual,
The high court had sought the government's response on the matter. The government submitted a modified ritual,
described as 'Yede Snana', as per which devotees would be permitted to roll over food offered to the deity, brought
directly from the temple's sanctum sanctorum instead of the food leftovers served to Brahmins. However, the modified
formula was questioned in the Supreme Court by a few devotees and the same was stayed.
Apparently, Malekudiyas, a local forest tribe protested the restrictions on 'Made Snana' last year. Legend has it that
Malekudiyas consecrated the Subrahmanya temple and their role in the festivities is significant. As part of the local
tradition, Malekudiyas decorate the temple chariot for the annual car festival. Last year, they refused to discharge their
duties and demanded the lifting of the ban on 'Made Snana', which they considered a sacred ritual.
The temple authorities pointed out that the devotees voluntarily practiced 'Made Snana' and the ritual was free of any
The temple authorities pointed out that the devotees voluntarily practiced 'Made Snana' and the ritual was free of any
disturbances. "As long as there are no protests or interferences, devotees are at liberty to perform Made Snana. None
of the critics tried to interrupt the ritual on Sunday," Subrahmanya Temple Executive Officer HM Kale said.
