Temple in Mandya District opens after a decade

A strange practice is alive even today at a small village at K R Pet Taluk, in Mandya district.

 The temple of the Dasabaniga Shetty community is kept locked for a year if any member of the community dies.

 It resulted in the temple being kept locked for 10 years following continuous deaths.

 The death spell stopped after 10 years, and as per tradition, the elders decided to open the doors of the temple of Goddess Chowdammathayi at Bhukanakere in K R Pet taluk, on Wednesday, on the eve of Deepavali, an auspicious day.

 Though there were instances in the past of the temple being shut continuously for five-six years, this is the first time that it was closed for so long.

 According to the community members, the temple has a history of about 170 years.

 Though it does not come under the Muzrai Department, Bhukanakere Chowdamma has become a village deity.

 Naganna, the 65-year-old head of the community, says: “I remember visiting the temple for the first time with my grandfather who told me about this practice,” and added, “people are allowed to enter the temple only if they follow some of the customary practices.

” Villagers thronged the temple to offer prayers after a decade.

 Interestingly, the Goddess has a younger sister named Marthammathayi, and her worshipers do not follow this practice.

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