KUMTA : Devotees at Kamakshi temple dip their hands into a vessel full of ‘boiling oil’ and take out fried Vada from it. Those who dip their hands in the boiling oil have not faced any problem like burning sensation or injuries on their hands.
The ‘Vada Seva’ (removing vada from boiling oil with bare hands) has been in practice at Rayeshwar Kavooru Kamakshi and Shanteri Kamakshi temples in Kumta town for five centuries. The vada is offered to Kamakshidevi every year on Shigi Hunnime or Bhumi Hunnime (full moon day) in the town.
It is held as part of the 15-day Dasara celebration that concludes on full moon day. On the final day, thousands of people gather at the temples to witness the Vada Seva. Devotees who have vows, worship goddess Kamakshi on the full moon day. After various pujas, the priest of the temple nods for the Vada Seva.
Speaking to Express, Raju Naik, who did Vada Seva said, “I asked for some blessings from the devi. She granted what I asked for. Therefore I vowed for the seva and did it. I have not had any burning sensation or injuries on my hand. I feel good after performing the seva.”
Martappa Pai, chief of the Rayeshwar Kavooru Kamakshi temple said, Gouda Saraswat Brahmins migrated to coastal areas of Karnataka from Goa during the reign of the Portuguese. “From then we have been practising Vada Seva. It is not magic. We are not mixing anything with the oil that boils in the kadhai. It is goddess Kamakshi’s miracle. People from various communities participate in the seva”, he said.
How it is possible?
Activists working against superstition claim that some kind of chemical/liquid is mixed with the oil which ensures it boils at a lower temperature. “If you observe, the oil will have additional froth due to mixing of a chemical,” the activist said.