'Ede Snana' performed at Kukke Subramanya

Devotees at the historical Kukke Subramanya temple on Saturday performed ‘Ede Snana,’ a modified version of the centuries-old tradition of ‘Made Snana.’

Under the tranformed version held to mark Kirushta festival, cows consumed food served on 432 plantain leaves, while 62 devotees rolled over the leftovers to fulfill their vows, under tight police security in the temple premises.

‘Made Snana’ drew severe criticism from intellectuals, revolutionary organisations, seers and other members of society who opposed the practice of devotees rolling over the plantain leaves containing the leftovers of devotees belonging to upper caste, after they had dined.

The ritual was followed during festivals at Kukke Subramanya temple. Even as the issue reached the court, the ritual was followed amid criticism and confusion.

The previous BJP government was in favour of ‘Ede Snana,’ which received the High Court nod. However, Bhaskar Bendodi, State President of Adivasi Budakattu Jananga and a supporter of ‘Made Snana,’ moved the Supreme Court seeking the apex court to stay the HC ruling on the said issue. The apex court stayed ‘Ede Snana’ and also directed the petitioner to settle the matter in the High Court.

Meanwhile, Bendodi, in a press release, has contended that the SC had stayed ‘Made Snana’ but had not issued any direction on “Ede Snana.”

After the dispute was transferred to the High Court of Karnataka, the HC too stayed ‘Made Snana’ but remained mum on ‘Ede Snana.’ So, both courts have stayed ‘Made Snana,’ but have not issued any direction on ‘Ede Snana.’ Hence today’s ritual was illegal, he added.