The town of Kukke Sri Subrahmanya Temple in Dakshina Kannada will no longer have any tobacco products sold in its shops. The Subrahmanya Gram Panchayat has prohibited the sale of bidis, cigarettes, and other tobacco products in all stores in the town of the serpent god temple. This prohibition comes in anticipation of the Champa Shashti Mahotsava that will be ongoing until December 5th, drawing devotees from all over the country.
The Gram Panchayat has passed a decision to implement a permanent ban to ensure that devotees and tourists visiting the temple town are not inconvenienced by smoking. Additionally, the general physician has decided to ban the chewing of tobacco to keep the town clean.
According to Lalitha G. Gundadka, President of Subrahmanya GP, the decision to ban the sale of tobacco products was made in consideration of the sanctity of the temple, where a large number of devotees come to pray, particularly for the ceremonies of Sarpa Samskara and Ashlesha Bali.
The tobacco consumption in the town should not cause any problems for pilgrims visiting the temple, which led to a resolution that overwhelmingly passed in this regard. The resolution by the GP will be widely publicized. As smoking in public places is prohibited by the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), the police will be asked to assist in enforcing the requirement and punishing those who violate it, as stated by the GP Chairman. Lalitha also stated that the ban will remain effective even after the Champa Shashti festival. Doctors will also monitor the use of drugs or other substances.
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