Now, VHP takes exception to ‘Salam Mangalarathi’ ritual

VHP divisional secretary Sharan Pumpwell said the ritual was a ‘pradosha puje’, but started being called the ‘Salam Mangalarathi’ in the 18th century,

Traders at Marikamba Jatra festival put up saffron flags on their shops set up around the temple on Kote Road and, for the first time, no traders from the Muslim community have been allowed to put up 

UDUPI In the backdrop of Muslim traders being barred from setting up stalls during temple jatras in various parts of the state, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad has now objected to a ritual at the Kollur Sri Mookambika Temple here that is called ‘Salam Mangalarathi’.

In a memorandum to the temple committee, Vishwa Hindu Parishad divisional secretary Sharan Pumpwell said the ritual was a ‘pradosha puje’, but started being called the ‘Salam Mangalarathi’ in the 18th century, a sign of “mental slavery”.

He said the ritual should continue, but it should not be called ‘Salam Mangalarathi’. ‘’We urge Endowments Minister Shashikala Jolle and Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Commissioner Rohini Sindhuri to rectify this,’’ he said.