The Kodagu district administration has scotched rumours that women will be barred from climbing Brahmagiri betta from Talacauvery temple, the spot where the Cauvery takes its birth.
Satish Kumar, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Kodagu, said the personal opinion of an astrologer from Kerala, who was invited for the ritual of ‘Ashtamangala Prashne’ held at Talacauvery, was construed as an official decision of the government-appointed temple committee. ‘Ashtamangala Prashne’ is part of an astrological tradition and entails answering queries raised to find solutions to problems.
“The temple committee is vested only with the responsibility of routine administration and cannot take unilateral decisions outside the purview of its prescribed duties. Besides, the Talacauvery temple is administered by the Muzrai Department of the State government and is not a party to the opinion stated by an astrologer,” said Mr. Satish Kumar.
“I sought a report from the temple’s executive officer, and he reported that it was the personal opinion of the mystic and has nothing to do with the temple committee,” Mr. Satish Kumar added.
There was a furore after the priest said that only men, girls below 10, and women above 50 years will be allowed to climb Brahmagiri Hills between Tula Sankramana day and Vrushabha Sankramana day.
