Kundapur: DC seeks info on unauthorised entry of woman into sanctum of Kollur temple


Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (SP/MS)

Kundapur, Oct 17: Priyanka Mary Francis, DC of Udupi district has asked the sub-divisional officers to furnish information with regards to the issue of a woman, former administrative officer of Kollur Mookambika temple, entering the Laxmi Mantap of the temple without the permission of the current administrative officer. This has given rise to controversy as traditionally women are not allowed entry into the Mantap located inside the temple.

A video clip inside the said temple shows a woman entering the Laxmi Mantap located outside the sanctum sanctorum where the idol of the presiding deity is installed. Uma, who had functioned in the past as the administrative officer of the temple, was reportedly allowed entry into the Laxmi Mantap on the occasion of Navaratri festival. Some priests who were with her paved way for her entry into the Mantap, whereas another group has raised objection to this act. The devotees are asserting that the priests were not in order in allowing Uma enter the Mantap.

Responding to the controversy, Halappa, present administrative officer of the temple said, "Uma, the lady in question, has not taken permission to enter the Laxmi Mantap. According to the tradition only priests are allowed to enter Laxmi Mantap. Legal action will be taken on the staff members of the temple, who allowed Uma to enter the Laxmi Mantap and also on those who have relayed this information to electronic media. Detailed information will be given to the deputy commissioner."

Dr K N Narasimha Adiga, temple priest has urged the DC to take relevant action as this incident will influence the belief of scores of devotees of this temple.

Clarifying on the controversy, Harish Kumar Shetty, president of management committe of the temple said, "The entering to the Laxmi Mantap by Uma, the former administrative officer of the temple, during the Suvasini Pooja of Navaratri is against the tradition. Suitable action will be taken in this regard as per the opinion of administrative officer and the management committee."

As in vogue in several places, in Kollur temple too the custom of presenting 'Bagina', which is considered auspicious, to the women is in vogue during Navaratri festival. On the first day of Navaratri it is offered to one lady, and on the second day, two women get this honour. Like this, on the ninth day,, nine women get the 'Bagina'. As per the custom prevalent in the temple, women can enter the said Mantap only when 'Bagina' is presented to them. The devotees feel that Uma has brought disrepute to the temple customs by entering Laxmi Mantap.

Reportedly, the temple had witnessed a number of irregularities when Uma was in-charge. The gold ornaments offered by devotees towards meeting their religious vows had been usurped by some temple employees. Now this officer is involved with another controversy. When she was the administrative officer, Uma used to enter Laxmi Mantap by virtue of the position she occupied then. Now people say she was not right in entering the Laxmi Mantap.

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Comment on this article

  • Ajay, Kallianpur

    Fri, Oct 19 2018

    "Action will be taken against those who released video to media"! Don't the public have a right to know.

    DisAgree Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • VALERIAN RODRIGUES, UJIRE

    Thu, Oct 18 2018

    IN EVERY RELIGION THERE ARE SOME CUSTOMS TO PERFORM RELIGIOUS RITUALS. SHOULD RESPECT THOSE.MANY REASONS ARE FOR SUCH RITUALS PRACTISE.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • dk shetty, mangalore/udupi

    Thu, Oct 18 2018

    people are blind and they make rules based on archaic, outdated practices.
    The deity is a shakthi, who is a female an di don't understand why these highly educated phd's have objection.


    God dwells equally in the hearts of all beings and limiting temple entry only to men is clearly a misogynistic approach. Recently supreme court has allowed entry for women in places of religious worship- Temples


    When will we wake up and give respect to our mothers/sisters/daughters from these blind pseudo bhaktas.
    "Sarvam kalvidam brahma"

    DisAgree [4] Agree [13] Reply Report Abuse

  • PKShetty, Udupi

    Thu, Oct 18 2018

    None of the devotees (men or women) allowed inside the sanctum sanctorum in all temples in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi district except the priest. Don't make it as gender issue. Secondly, as a practice none of the female devotee who is menstruating does not enter any temple and nobody questions while you enter the temple. It is individuals choice whether they follows it or not, but, nobody

    DisAgree [5] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • David Pais, Mangalore

    Thu, Oct 18 2018

    @PKShetty, Udupi, 👎👎👎, break gender biased traditions. da creator has made men & women 2 worship him. menstruation is a natural course to every women made by God. what God has made should not b broken. men get ejaculation in da dreams also a natural course.

    DisAgree [5] Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • Joseph, Alleppey

    Thu, Oct 18 2018

    When will our ladies become bishops and highest priesthood...

    DisAgree [1] Agree [15] Report Abuse

  • Vincent Rodrigues, Katapadi/Bangalore

    Thu, Oct 18 2018

    TEMPLE MATTER BETTER TO BE ABIDE BY THE LONG STANDING CUSTIOM FOLLOWED IN THE TEMPLE

    DisAgree [3] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • JOHN, mangalore/kuwait.

    Thu, Oct 18 2018

    I SAW THIS VIDEO, THERE YOU WILL SEE WOMAN ENTER INSIDE FIRST, THEN A MAN QUICKLY GO INSIDE, AND A PERSON FROM OUTSIDE PEEPING, SOMETHING FISHY.....

    DisAgree [1] Agree [15] Reply Report Abuse

  • David Pais, Mangalore

    Thu, Oct 18 2018

    i don't find any violation. she or he can enter anywhere sanctum of the sanctorum. humans r there 2 worship God irrespective of caste, creed, colour, religion, faith or gender unbiased.

    DisAgree [9] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • Joseph, Alleppey

    Thu, Oct 18 2018

    If god is unbiased then why ladies are not allowed to reach the highest level of priesthood...

    DisAgree [1] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • Raj, Mangalore

    Thu, Oct 18 2018

    David, this is not about 'God' in your sense of someone sitting in the sky and listening to our prayers. In Temples there's something called 'krama' ( not karma ). This has to be followed, it is not able male or female as in gender. It is much more complicated than reading a 10 item menu.

    DisAgree Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Haneef, West Africa

    Thu, Oct 18 2018

    Why faku mum now? Is he only concerned Muslim women?

    DisAgree [7] Agree [18] Reply Report Abuse

  • RkR, Mangalore/ Dubai

    Thu, Oct 18 2018

    Administrative Powers vs Rituals

    DisAgree [1] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • sri_elder, Karkala

    Thu, Oct 18 2018

    Very minor issue

    DisAgree [12] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mangalore

    Thu, Oct 18 2018

    First time in 71 Years 😀😂🤣

    DisAgree [11] Agree [20] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sampath, India

    Thu, Oct 18 2018

    Welcomed rapiest with rose petals...

    DisAgree [1] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • Thousif, Manglore,Bolar

    Thu, Oct 18 2018

    There women can’t entry to temple then they say Muslim man not allowing Muslim women to Masjid . What a joke there own underwear have hole they are point out others inner wear hole lol..

    DisAgree [15] Agree [27] Reply Report Abuse

  • JNB, Mumbai_mangalore

    Thu, Oct 18 2018

    PERMISSION!
    "entering the Laxmi Mantap of the temple without the permission of the current administrative officer."

    DisAgree [7] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sampath, India

    Thu, Oct 18 2018

    Mr Thousif... without knowing the fact you are writing rubbish...read the headlines..it is unauthorised entry .....but unfortunately your religion doesn't allow to worship inside the mosque...I don't think even stitching can help here to close the holes...

    DisAgree [6] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse


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Title: Kundapur: DC seeks info on unauthorised entry of woman into sanctum of Kollur temple



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