Made snana' continues at Kukke Subrahmanya as Dist. Admin backtracks after banning ritual

November 29, 2011

Subramanya, November 29: The Dakshina Kannada district administration on Monday lifted the ban imposed on the controversial 'made snana' ritual, which involves devotees rolling over the food left over by Brahmins - in the belief that it would rid them of various ailments - at the Kukke Subramanya temple as part of the three-day Champashashti Jatrotsava.

The ban was lifted following protests by members of the Malekudiya community, who threatened not to construct the chariot for the Jatrotsava, if they are not allowed to undertake the 'made snana' ritual. More than 600 devotees later took part in the ritual.

The temple management had earlier banned the ritual, on the direction of the government, following opposition to the age-old practice. It had appealed to the devotees, through the media, not to undertake the ritual.

Sundar Bhat, the Puttur Assistant Commissioner and the temple administrative officer, held discussions with the devotees and later with the Deputy Commissioner, who directed that status quo be maintained.

Meanwhile, rumours spread that Brahmins would not be served food on the outer portion of the temple.

The devotees assembled at the office of the administrative officer and insisted that Brahmins should be served food there so that the ritual could be undertaken.

The devotees called up Religious Endowments Minister V?S?Acharya and appealed to him not to stop the practice unilaterally. Finally, the decision to maintain status quo was arrived at.

The administrative officer later announced that the practice would not be banned unilaterally and would take place as usual this year.

A solution would be found to end the controversy through 'Ashtamangala Prashne,' to be undertaken in future for the development of the pilgrimage centre, he said.

Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner N?S?Chennappa Gowda said the decision to revoke the ban on 'madesnana' was not taken bowing to the threat by the members of the Malekudiya community. Members of the Malekudiya community do not take part in the ritual, Gowda said.

Instead, the decision was arrived at only after confirming that it is not just members of the lower castes who were taking part in the ritual.

Also, 'madesnana' was not a ritual undertaken forcibly, he said. “According to the order of the High Court in a Public Interest Litigation in 2002, none can interfere in the religious rights of the people. Hence, the district administration cannot stop madesnana,” the DC?clarified.

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No cases yet, but vigilance high: Karnataka braces for Nipah threat

News Network

February 3,2026

Bengaluru: Following reports of fresh Nipah virus (NiV) cases in West Bengal and heightened vigilance across parts of Southeast Asia, the Karnataka Health Department has placed the state on high alert and activated emergency preparedness protocols.

Health officials said enhanced surveillance measures have been initiated after two healthcare workers in Barasat, West Bengal, tested positive for the virus earlier this month. While no cases have been reported in Karnataka so far, authorities said the state’s past exposure to Nipah outbreaks and high inter-state mobility warranted preventive action.

Officials have directed district health teams to intensify monitoring, particularly at hospitals and points of entry, and to ensure early detection and isolation of suspected cases.

High Mortality Virus with Multiple Transmission Routes

Nipah virus is a zoonotic disease that can spread from animals to humans and has a reported fatality rate ranging between 60 and 75 per cent. Fruit bats, also known as flying foxes, are the natural reservoirs of the virus and can transmit it by contaminating food sources with saliva or urine.

Known modes of transmission include:

•   Contaminated food: Consumption of fruits partially eaten by bats or raw date-palm sap
•   Animal contact: Exposure to infected pigs or other animals
•   Human-to-human transmission: Close contact with body fluids of infected persons, particularly in healthcare settings

Symptoms and Disease Progression

The incubation period typically ranges from 4 to 14 days, though delayed onset has also been reported. Early symptoms often resemble common viral infections, making prompt clinical suspicion critical.

•   Initial symptoms: Fever, headache, body aches, fatigue, sore throat
•   Progressive symptoms: Drowsiness, disorientation, altered mental state
•   Severe stage: Seizures, neck stiffness and acute encephalitis, which can rapidly progress to coma

Public Health Advisory

The Health Department has issued precautionary guidelines urging the public to adopt risk-avoidance practices to prevent any local spillover.

Do’s
•   Wash fruits thoroughly before consumption
•   Drink boiled and cooled water
•   Use protective equipment while handling livestock
•   Maintain strict hand hygiene

Don’ts
•   Avoid fruits found on the ground or showing bite marks
•   Do not consume beverages made from raw tree sap, including toddy
•   Avoid areas with dense bat populations
•   Do not handle sick or dead animals

Preparedness Measures

Officials confirmed that isolation wards are being readied in major government hospitals and that medical staff are being sensitised to identify early warning signs.

“There is no cause for panic, but there is a need for heightened vigilance,” a senior health official said, adding that there is currently no approved vaccine or specific antiviral treatment for Nipah, and care remains largely supportive.

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