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SUBRAHMANYA (DAKSHINA KANNADA DISTRICT): With police keeping a hawk’s eye on the proceedings, 303 devotees took part in the Made Made Snana ritual at the Kukke Subrahmanya temple on Tuesday, the first day of the three-day ritual.

 The ritual involves rolling on plantain leaves which has leftover food partaken by Brahmins in the belief that it’ll cure them of skin ailments. The ritual will be held for two more days on Panchami and Shasti after Chauti on Tuesday.

 With the Karnataka high court permitting the performing the ritual in its original form, police were in full force to thwart trouble from those opposing it. The ritual, which started at 2.30pm after an hour’s delay, passed off without any incident. Sources in the temple said the crowd on Day 1 is usually less and it builds over the next two days. "The number this year is good considering it was around 150 last year on the first day. Panchami and Shasti on Wednesday and Friday will see a larger crowd as there will be more offerings,’’ the source added.

 The streets of this town, usually bustling on such special occasions, were relatively free of milling crowds and those who wanted darshan got it quite easily.

 In the queue were many, educated and illiterate, to perform the ritual as they believed their vow to perform the ritual has either got rid of their ailments or brought them good luck.

 Sreenisha, a hypnotherapist from Bengaluru, was performing it for the 12th consecutive time. "I didn’t have any problems. The first time I did it after hearing about the benefits. There were some positive changes in my life and that’s why I’ve continued,’’ she added. She had come alone. "My husband doesn’t believe in it. He says: ’I won’t do it, but won’t come against your beliefs’.’’

 Devaraj from Magadi has skin rashes which the doctor said were hereditary in nature. "This is my first time and I’m hoping I’ll be rid of them," he said. His body has red patches and they flare up in winter.

 Chadrappa from Ramanagara had come with his grandson Ganesh, 13, and granddaughter Chaitanya, 4, since they all have skin ailments. This was their first visit. Savithri had to help her daughter Roopa from Bengaluru perform the ritual. "She was married in 2006 but had children till 2010. Then she vowed to perform Made Snana and the next year she got a baby. We’ve come this year to perform the ritual," Savithri said.

 Brahmins were served food on plantain leaves at 2pm and a couple of them had it on the stone floor after washing it. Devotees started rolling on the leftovers after the Brahmins had food and many who had lunch also rolled with them.