Women Devotees Forced to Bathe in Open at Karnataka's Mailaralingeshwara Fair, Sparking Widespread Criticism
The annual Mailaralingeshwara Fair, a major religious event held from February 1 to 5 in Mailara village of Huvina Hadagali taluk, Vijayanagara district, has drawn severe backlash after bathroom facilities for women were found locked. This forced numerous female devotees to bathe and change clothes in the open during the five-day gathering, causing significant discomfort and embarrassment.
Massive Gathering Marred by Infrastructure Failure
The Mailaralingeshwara temple, situated on the banks of the Tungabhadra River, attracts lakhs of devotees annually from across Karnataka and neighboring states, making it one of the largest religious fairs in the region. Devotees typically observe rigorous vows, including ritual prostrations known as deerghadanda namaskara, after which bathing is considered essential.
However, women attendees reported that while men could bathe openly along the riverbank, they were left with no viable options. Bathrooms within the temple premises remained locked throughout the event, compelling women to use sarees as makeshift shields or bathe in full public view. This lack of privacy led to widespread distress among participants.
Authorities Ignored Pleas Despite High-Profile Attendance
Local residents raised the issue during the initial fair meeting, urging officials to provide adequate facilities for female worshippers. Notably, the meeting was attended by deputy commissioner Kavita S Mannikeri, SP Jahnavi S, and assistant commissioner of the muzrai department Savita H, who all instructed concerned officials to ensure necessary arrangements.
Despite these directives, no action was taken. "Female devotees endured the humiliation of bathing and changing in public on all five days of the fair," stated Jayamma Lakkundi, a devotee from Betageri village in Koppal taluk, highlighting the authorities' negligence.
Temple Officials Cite Cleanliness Concerns
Mailaralingeshwara temple executive officer Mallappa confirmed the incident, explaining that the bathing rooms were locked because devotees were not maintaining cleanliness. "We made arrangements on the riverbank for women to change their clothes after bathing. However, such facilities were not provided inside the temple premises," he told TOI.
This justification has sparked further dissatisfaction, as the Mailaralingeshwara temple is considered the richest in the unified Ballari district. Devotees question why basic infrastructure like functioning bathrooms and secure changing spaces for women could not be ensured, given the temple's resources.
Growing Demand for Dignity and Privacy
The incident has triggered outrage among thousands of devotees, particularly women, who argue that cleanliness concerns should not compromise dignity and privacy. Many are calling for immediate improvements to prevent such occurrences in future fairs, emphasizing the need for gender-sensitive facilities at large-scale religious events.
As the fair concluded, the episode underscores broader issues of infrastructure and accountability in managing major cultural and religious gatherings in India.
