It is a common sight that vendor sell cut pieces as saris ( mukka cheeralu in local parlance) near the Kanaka Durga temple. The devotees, at times, shell out up to ₹800 on these cut pieces, which are not accepted in the temple. Full length silk sari is only used to decorate the presiding deity.
To tide over the problem, the temple authorities have come up with the idea of a new seva — saare (literally gift to girl child) an offering to goddess Kanaka Durga. The temple provides a sari, turmeric and vermilion and 250 gm rice. The kit costs ₹ 500.
The temple has been receiving complaints with regard to mukka cheeralu . Unaware of the vendors’ trick, the devotees do purchase the cut sarees but feel dejected when it was rejected at the donation counter. There are instances, where devotees spent ₹800 on that type of sarís. The temple could control sale of such saris at shops that were under its control. But, the devotees purchase mukka cheeralu near the ghat or in lanes leading to the temple, which doesn’t come under temple jurisdiction. So, the saare seva was introduced.
While contacted, Kanaka Durga temple Executive Officer A. Surya Kumari says that the response was impressive. The temple is purchasing saris from Cooptex. Usually, the devotees have to deposit the offering (saris) at the counter where a receipt is issued. “But, the devotees are so impressed with the quality and seva that they are taking back the saris with them after showing their offering to the goddess. We too cannot say anything as they feel it is prasadam ,” she says.
The EO says that vastram , a new seva that costs ₹25,000 was introduced. The temple provides a silk sari and dhotis, which will be offered to the goddess Kanaka Durga and Malleswara Swamy, honey, turmeric, kumkum and ghee. Two devotees can have antaralaya darshan and participate in harati seva. The bookings are picking up, she adds.
