'Purification ritual' after Dalit minister's visit to temple

The media report on a 'purification ritual' performed after Dalit minister's visit to a Hindu temple has come a stunner to many.

While the country claims to have abolished caste system and unconventional Hindu practices long back, media reported on Pramilla Mallick, the women and child development minister of Orissa, whose visit, and the rituals that followed at the famous Akhandalamani Shiva temple at Aradi in Bhadrak raised eyebrows.

"Although the priests didn't resist her entry, they performed 'maha snana' (purification ritual) of the deity after she left because of her alleged ''objectionable entry''," sources said.

Gokulananda Panda, the temple chief priest said, they performed the purification ritual because Dalits were not allowed to enter the sanctum sanctorum.

The priests closed the temple for over an hour and washed it soon after the minister left, Panda said.

Orissa is one of the states in India, which has barred Dalits from entering Hindu temples.