The prasad distributed in the Kichgutti Maramma temple in Sulwadi village in Chamarajnagara was poisoned, claim locals. They said an ongoing feud between two factions in the village could be the reason for the tragedy which claimed 11 lives and left 29 others in critical condition. As many as 93 people were admitted to hospitals across Chamarajnagara and Mysuru.
Medical experts treating the patients admitted that the symptoms shown are similar to pesticide poisoning cases where patients suffer from vomiting and breathing problems.
Dozens of crows were found dead as they had apparently consumed the leftover prasad dumped near the temple.
Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, who visited the victims in Mysuru hospital, called it a case of "sabotage" and ordered a detailed investigation into the incident. He also announced ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of the deceased.
Meanwhile, samples of the prasad have been sent to the forensic lab and to the Central Food Technology and Research Institute in Mysuru to ascertain the presence and nature of poisoning.
According to sources, two persons, Chinnappi (one of the temple trustees) and Maadesh, have been detained by the Ramapura police in connection with the incident.
Events as they unfolded
On Friday, hundreds of devotees had turned up at the Maramma temple for the groundbreaking ceremony to erect a 'gopuram' (tower). Puja was performed in the morning, and around 11am, the temple authorities distributed 'rice baat' as prasad. Soon, devotees who consumed the prasad complained of stomach ache and started throwing up. The locals rushed at least 24 patients to Martalli primary health centre, and the rest were rushed to Kollegal taluk hospital and the Holy Cross hospital.
When the situation got worse, those were in critical condition were shifted to KR Hospital in Mysuru and other private hospitals for want of ventilators. Around 22 ambulances made 92 trips to shift 104 patients to different hospitals.
The deity of the temple is considered to have special powers, and childless couples, and people with personal problems make a vow to visit the temple once their wish is fulfilled.
Shantharaju(42) a daily wager from Bidrahalli, had come to the temple with his wife Shivagami, as the couple had been blessed with a baby after 12 years of marriage. Unfortunately Shantharaju died and his wife and two-month-old child survived the tragedy.
Dore, a resident of Maatalli village, said, "I want the government to bring the culprits to book. If they fail to do so, I will do it myself. Both my mother and sister-in-law are in serious condition. My mother is in KR Hospital. If anything goes wrong, I will not spare anyone."
The temple row
The Maramma temple is allegedly constructed on encroached forest land and the temple trust has nine members, including Chinnappi.
According to locals, there has been constant friction between two factions—one hailing from Baraguru village in Tamil Nadu and the other from Sulvadi in Kollegal taluk—as both want to have control over the temple. For the last 13 years, the groups have been offering prayers separately.
Another feud between the priests and locals in Sulvadi village broke out over the issue of constructing a tower. Locals suspect the prasad was poisoned by some miscreants to settle some personal scores.
However, the police have refused to elaborate on the matter pending inquiry.
