Orissa Temple "purified" after Dalit Minister's visit

The priests of Akhandalamani Shiva temple at Aradi in Bhadrak, about 170 km from Bhubaneswar, have performed 'maha snana' a purification ritual of the deity on Wednesday. It was reported that due to allegedly the visit of Dalit minister, according to media reports.

The Pramilla Mallick, the women and child development minister went to the famous temple in Bhadrak on Wednesday. The entry of Dalits is not longer seen as problem in major shrines in Orissa but do exists in some of the areas in the state.

However, it was cleared by the temple priests that the observance of the purification ritual shortly after Mallick’s exit was not related to her visit to the temple or entry of an Dalit. But certainly such issue are enough to get the glimpse of case-base issues in the state. Still the state needs more reforms to root out of social evils likes caste discrimination.