Influencer Sparks Controversy with Temple Cake Cutting
An Instagram influencer with over a million followers ignited a firestorm of controversy after celebrating her birthday inside the sacred Kaal Bhairav Temple in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. The incident, which involved cutting a cake within the temple’s sanctum sanctorum, has led to a ban on cake offerings at the religious site.
A viral video captured the influencer, Mamta Rai, performing rituals and then cutting a cake, offering the first piece to the deity. While some social media users, devotees, and religious leaders condemned the act as disrespectful, the temple’s chief priest, Naveen Giri, claimed it wasn’t an unusual occurrence. He stated that people often offer cakes at the temple and that Rai had simply followed suit.
Following the recent controversy involving influencer Mamta Rai, the Kaal Bhairav Temple in Varanasi has implemented a ban on cake offerings.
Temple authorities, including chief priest Naveen Giri, expressed surprise at Rai’s significant social media following. Giri stated, “In the video, it appeared as though she celebrated her birthday inside the temple. However, the temple management was unaware of her intentions. This single incident was exaggerated and blown out of proportion.”
In response to the recent controversy surrounding influencer Mamta Rai, the Kaal Bhairav Temple in Varanasi has implemented a stricter ban on cake offerings and celebrations within the temple premises.
A prominent religious body, the Kashi Vidwat Parishad, has condemned the incident as a violation of the temple’s sanctity and is reportedly considering legal action against Mamta Rai.
“One should seek divine blessings on their birthday,” stated Ram Narayan Dwivedi, General Secretary of the Kashi Vidwat Parishad. “Blowing candles and cutting cakes inside temples, as seen in the viral video, is unacceptable. We will appeal to the Chief Minister to prevent such practices in the future.”
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