Preparations for a special seven-day ceremony at a Hanuman temple in Tiloli village, Bhilwara, Rajasthan ran into a controversy when the priest organising this ceremony refused to let Dalits be a part of it. As a condition for participating, Dalits were asked to undergo a rite of purification. "They said people of lower castes will not be allowed to participate in this village ceremony," said Mangilal, a villager.