MANGALURU: Devotees of Sri Kshetra Gejjegiri in Puttur on Thursday protested in front of a textile showroom in Mangaluru, accusing its owner of supplying used and damaged saris to the shrine.
Saris were distributed to women devotees as part of ‘Matheyara Madilu Thumbuva Seve’ organised during the annual festival at Gejjegiri temple. This sparked significant discussion among the public as a majority of the saris were found used and defective. The temple management returned the defective saris to the showroom. Meanwhile, the committee members and the devotees protested in front of the showroom with the saris, expressing their anger.
The annual fair was held in Gejjegiri from March 1 to 5, with the saris, distributed as part of a ritual for deity Deyi Baidethi, being purchased from the showroom.
Temple committee president Ravi Poojary said the sari distribution programme was held on March 4. But most of the 8,000 saris distributed were found either used or defective.
When the textile shop owner was informed about the supply of defective saris, the former promised to replace them with new ones. The shop owner said saris were supplied from a Surat-based factory, and the issue has been brought to its notice.
