Mangaluru, Nov 26: Even as activists launched a campaign to create awareness against Made-Snana', around three hundred devotees took part in the controversial ritual at Kukke Subrahmanya temple on Tuesday, the first day of the three-day ritual.
The ritual involves rolling on plantain leaves which has leftover food partaken by Brahmins in the belief that it'll cure them of skin ailments. The ritual will be held for two more days on Panchami and Shasti after Chauti on Tuesday.
With the Karnataka high court permitting the performing the ritual in its original form, police were in full force to thwart trouble from those opposing it.
The ritual, which started at 2.30pm after an hour's delay, passed off without any incident. Sources in the temple said the crowd on Day 1 is usually less and it builds over the next two days.
"The number this year is good considering it was around 150 last year on the first day. Panchami and Shasti on Wednesday and Friday will see a larger crowd as there will be more offerings,'' the source added.
The streets of this town, usually bustling on such special occasions, were relatively free of milling crowds and those who wanted darshan got it quite easily.
In the queue were many, educated and illiterate, to perform the ritual as they believed their vow to perform the ritual has either got rid of their ailments or brought them good luck.
Meanwhile, members of the Karnataka Rajya Hindulida Vargagala Jagrutha Vedike and other organisations held a protest in front of deputy commissioner's office at Mangaluru and also organised an awareness programme.
The protesters, comprising seers from various mutts, urged the government to impose a ban on made snana.'
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