The head of the Pejawara Mutt, Vishwesha Theertha Swamiji, has lauded the ban and said that putting an end to this age-old tradition would not harm Hinduism in any way
Udupi: In a historic decision, the Palimaru Mutt seer Vidyadheesha Theertha Swamiji announced that two traditional practices of Made Snana and Ede Snana will be banned in the Krishna Mutt in Udupi.
There are eight mutts inside the Udupi Krishna Mutt premises and each mutt takes the responsibility under Paryaya tradition for two years. Vidyadheesha Theertha Swamiji is in-charge of all temple proceedings and decisions for two years as he was given the authority during the Paryaya held in January this year.
Made Snana is the ritual where devotees roll over soiled plantain leaves with leftover food from the Brahmins and Ede Snana is rolling over plantain leaves with prasadam. Mostly, the people from lower castes took part in Made Snana and Ede Snana.
On the occasion of Shashti celebrations, organised at Subramanya temple inside the Krishna Mutt, Vidhyadheesha Theertha Swamiji told reporters that a decision was taken to ban the two practices.
Vishwesha Theertha Swamiji of Pejawar Mutt is the most elderly and sought-after seer among the eight mutts. Vidyadheesha Theertha Swamiji has clarified that before taking the decision on the ban, it was discussed with the Pejawar Mutt seer and decision was taken as per his guidance.
People held protests against Made Snana and Ede Snana as the rituals were considered as controversial as only people from lower castes took part in them.
The seer said that both the rituals were creating confusion among the devotees. The devotees are not in favour of either Made Snana or Ede Snana and the rituals have been banned to put an end to all controversies regarding this.
Earlier, Made Snana rituals were conducted at Subramanya temple inside the Krishna Mutt. Currently, the rituals are still followed at Subramanya Swamy temple at Kukke in Dakshina Kannada district.
In fact, after the protests against Made Snana erupted, a decision was taken to replace it with Ede Snana, where people rolled over Prasadam instead of the leftover food.
However, it is said that devotees preferred to roll on the floor which is called Urulu Seve instead of Prasadam on the plantain leaf.
A staunch Hinduism propagator, Pejawar seer is said to have lauded the decision by saying that putting an end to the age-old tradition would not harm Hinduism in any way. Both Made Snana and Ede Snana were not required for religious practices, he reportedly said.
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