By Dr Eugene D'Souza, Moodubelle
Udupi, Jan 29: The unprecedented historic Horekanike procession on Thursday, January 29 from 4 pm to 6 pm marked the commencement of the Centenary celebration of Our Lady of Health Church, Shirva.
There was overwhelming participation by not only the parishioners of Shirva but also from other parishioners within the Shirva Varado and also from neighbouring parishes such as Moodubelle and Udupi. Other organizations such USWAS from Dubai, SWAK from Kuwait and Tempo and Rickshaw Owners and Drivers' Association and individuals also participated in the horekanike procession.
The procession began from the petrol pump, Shirva following the short inaugural prayer by Msgr Baptist Menezes, vicar general of the Udupi Diocese. Fr Stany Tauro, parish priest of Shirva was also present at the starting point. The procession was led by Wilson D’Souza, vice president of the parish pastoral council as the ‘Gurkar’ of the horekanike procession along with Felix Menezes who carried canopy over the head of the ‘Gurkar’. The procession was accompanied by huge ‘gombes’ dancing to the tune of the brass band.
Women parishioners of Shirva in uniform saris carried the ‘kalasas’ in their hands at the head of the procession, followed by nineteen women carrying vegetable baskets on their heads and nineteen men carrying rice ‘mudas’. They were followed by long lines of people coming from different parishes as their offerings were carried by different tempos and other vehicles.
In between the procession ‘chendes’ by Shri Durga Mahila Chende Balaga, Bantakal and Nasik Bands from Shri Narayana Guru Temple and Mahalasa Narayani temple, Shirva provided rhythm to the march. On the way, lime juice was offered by Sarvajanik Ganeshotsava Samithi, Mahila Mandali and Prince Restaurant.
One of the chief attractions of the horekanike procession was the bullock cart carrying the offerings from the Traders Association and people of Manchakal.
The horekanike procession that had started at 4 pm at the Petrol Pump reached the church at 5 pm where Fr Srany Tauro along with Msgr. Baptist Menezes traditionally welcomed the ‘Gurkar’, Wilson D’Souza with a pot of water and honoured him with shoulder shawl strip. He also honoured the Secretary William Machado and former Secretary Melvyn Aranha. Ivan D’Souza, MLC< Karnataka Legislative Assembly ad Mrs. Ida Giabba D’Souza. Member of the Udupi Zilla Panchyat were also similarly welcomed. Thereafter, Wilson D’Souza in a brief speech thanked Fr Stany Tauro for the honour and requested him to formally receive the voluntary offerings that were brought by the parishioners as well as other parishes, associations and individuals.
Gilbert Pinto coppered the horekanike procession by suing sound system fitted on a van.
Having formally received the horekanike offerings by Fr Stany Tauro, the precisionists came forward to deposit their offerings in the portico of the church. As the tempos and turcks entered the main gate and approached in front of the church the representatives from the parishes-priests, vice presidents and secretaries symbolically handed over certain items of their offerings to Fr Stany Tauro who in return showed his appreciation by honouring the priest with shoulder shawl strip and similar honour was done by vice president Wilson D’Souza ad secretary William Machado to their counterparts from other parishes. Fr Stany Tauro honoured Anantrai Shenoy who had sponsored sacks and ice-cream to nearly 3,000 participants in the horekanike procession.
At the end of the horekanike procession different items of the offerings were collected and assembled in front of the church. It was a huge heap of different types of vegetables, coconuts, flour, masala, rice, etc.
Reacting to the huge heap of horekanike items, Fr Stany Tauro said that he had requested teh parishioners of Shirva to contribute various articles for the community meal-‘Mahaannasantarpane’ on the occasion of the Centenary celebration of the church. However, all the parishes in the varado and other parishes also volunteered to contribute in their own way and it was not less than a miracle that there was overwhelming support and participation. Following the concluding prayer by Msgr. Baptist Menezes, the various items were carried by the volunteers to the store to be used on Saturday, 31 January 2015 for the community meal.
According to Wilson D’Souza, besides 38 wards of the Shirva parish, other parishes within Shirva Varado such as Mundkur, Palimar, Belman, Pernal, Pamboor, Kalatthur and Shankerpura and neighbouring parishes such as Moodubelle and Udupi participated in the horekanike procession. Besides, Sadananda and family of Sharadamba Motors, Shirva have sponsored 2,000 kg of rice for the ‘annasantarpane’; to generators have been sponsored by Waves Electronics, Mudarangadi and Sujay Pernal. Melona Caterers, Katapadi have sponsored 10,000 plates and some vessels for the community meal.
The horekanike procession was indeed a historic event that would remain in the memory of the people of Shirva and those participated in it for a long time. The team work of the parish council under the guidance of Fr Stany Tauro have done excellent arrangements for the entire procession.