Bengaluru: The controversy over Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah's visit to the famed Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara temple last Sunday after consuming non-vegetarian food might have hurt the sentiments of some believers but other devotees contend that he did not go near the sanctum sanctorum and so did not violate any tradition.
Mr Siddaramaiah, during his visit to Dakshina Kannada district, visited Bantwal where he had lunch with fish and chicken curry at a function. After lunch, he visited
Dharmasthala which made many believers raise objections.
The CM however defended his action while the the temple officials rushed to his rescue clarifying that there was no bar on devotees consuming different kinds of food before visiting the temple.
A local villager told Deccan Chronicle that all that Mr Siddaramaiah did was to stand near the Dhwaja Sthamba which is situated in the second layer around the temple and pay obeisance besides making an offering in the hundi. “Most devotees go near the sanctum sanctorum and offer prayers but Mr Siddaramaiah did not do that probably because he would have to take off his shirt. So going by his conduct at the temple premises on Sunday, he did not violate any religious practice,” sources explained.
