This Karnataka Temple Dedicated To A Watchman Allows Only Men To Enter

India is popularly known as the land of temples where all the symbols and institutions of faith, ranging from simple to grand, can be seen in almost all parts of the country. There are certain temples, however, that forbid the entry of women into their premises. According to the News18 report, one of these temples is located in the Sangargali village, in Khanapur taluka of Belagavi district in Karnataka, India. Another special feature of this temple is that there is no historic sculpture or extravagant architecture around it since it is a temple.

The tourists visiting this temple will just find an open platform with a lamp lit in front of it. This is the temple of Ravalkatta Baba who used to work as a night watchman in Sangargali about six decades ago. He is said to have guarded the village homes and people when animal attacks were a frequent event since the village is in close proximity to the forest.

To date, no one in the village knows the exact time when Ravalkatta Baba used to live. The villagers say the temple and the rituals have been existing as long as they can remember. Thus, they decided to continue with it. There are a lot of mythical legends that revolve around the life of Ravalkatta Baba. One of these legends is how he successfully stopped a train etc. The belief of a man safeguarding the people, however, is more prevalent here.

There are some sets of rules that the devotees need to abide by. Men can enter the premises and pray, but they have to do it aloud in the presence of the priest. They are also not allowed to take the Prasad home as women may end up consuming it. No one in the village is aware of how these rules begin to be followed since time immemorial but now, since it has almost become a tradition, people believe in it.

Vasant, a villager shared with News18, “Baba was roaming around the village with a stick in one hand and a kerosene lamp in another. His stick would have tiny bells tied to them. He would come by train in the afternoon every day, watch over the village in the night, and return in the morning. Many houses in the village sleep with the doors of their homes wide open on full moon and new moon days. Irrespective of religion and caste, people have faith in the powers of Baba.”