Row over entry of woman into Laxmi Mantapa of Kollur temple
Mangaluru, Oct 18: Even as a row is raging in Kerala over the Sabarimala temple, the entry of a woman into the Kollur Sri Mookambika temple's Laxmi Mantapa, open only for priests, has kicked up a controversy in Karnataka.
Udupi district Deputy Commissioner Priyanka Mary Francis has asked sub divisional officers to submit a report on the entry of T R Uma, a former executive officer of the temple, into the Laxmi Mantap where only priests are allowed.
Uma reportedly entered the Laxmi Mantap without the knowledge of the current executive officer.
A video clip showing her entering the mantap located outside the sanctum sanctorum has gone viral on the social media Wednesday.
Uma, who had functioned in the past as the executive officer of the temple, was allowed entry into the Laxmi Mantap on the occasion of Navratri festival by some temple staff.
Other staff and devotees objected to the act saying it was not in order.
The current temple administrator H Halappa told reporters that action would be initiated against the temple staff who allowed her to enter the Laxmi Mantap and those who relayed the information to media, he said.
Temple priest K N Narasimha Adiga has also urged the deputy commissioner to take relevant action as the act will hurt the beliefs of hundreds of devotees of the temple.
According to temple management committee president Harish Kumar Shetty, the entry of Uma into the Laxmi Mantap during the 'Suvasini Pooja' of Navaratri is against tradition.
Suitable action will be taken on the matter after eliciting the views of the administrative officer and management committee members, he said.
The row has erupted even as Kerala is being rocked by the lifting of the ban on entry of women in the age group of 10-50.
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Study outlines cost of Keytruda in India According to the study, a standard six-month course of the
Chikkaballapur: As tensions escalate in West Asia, the small town of Alipur in Gauribidanur taluk has drawn attention due to its decades-long religious and cultural ties with Iran, Prajavani reported.
Though geographically far from the conflict zone, residents of Alipur, a town panchayat with a population of around 25,000 Shia Muslims, closely follow developments in Iran. The town is regarded as one of the largest Shia Muslim settlements in South India, and many families here maintain deep spiritual and educational connections with the Islamic Republic.
Over the years, Shia Muslims from Alipur have travelled to Iran for religious studies, pilgrimage, and higher education. The influence of Iranian religious leadership is visible in the town’s institutions as well. A hospital in the village is named after Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s spiritual lineage, and a large portrait of Ayatollah Imam Khamenei adorns the building.
Alipur has also been visited by several prominent personalities from India and abroad. Former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, and senior Congress leaders have attended events in the town. In 2018, former Thai Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Sonthi Bunyaratglin took part in a Unity Day celebration at the village’s Nobel School. WWE wrestler ‘The Great Khali’ visited the town in 2021 for a private event, drawing large crowds.
Many residents have business and trade links with countries in West Asia, including Iran and Gulf nations. Some families are involved in the gemstone trade and overseas commerce. According to officials, more than 120 people from Alipur are currently residing in Iran.
In view of the prevailing war situation in the Middle East, the Chikkaballapur district administration has set up a helpline to assist residents stranded abroad. District Collector Prabhu has urged families to provide details such as the name, age, passport number, contact information, and current location of relatives overseas. Information can be shared through the District Disaster Management Centre helpline number 08156-277002 or via WhatsApp at 9591178093 and 9845531026.
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