Harshini Brahmavar

Pics: Umesh Marpalli

Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi

Udupi, Jun 26: Tulunadu has a number of mythological stories, superficial powers, miracles and practices to narrate. In the early days, people had faith in one another and truth was their moral lesson to learn from, but the situation has changed with changing times.

Baggumunda is a place near Kalmady close to Malpe which is close to the sea that passes across Kalmady. A month back, dredging work and sand lifting works were carried on till night when all of a sudden the machine got stuck to something unknown and stopped functioning. The villagers and technicians began searching for the incognizant thing in the deep river. Two Hitachi cranes were used in the lifting operation, but astonishingly it began sinking. The villagers offered prayers to their gods. Finally, the locals and technicians succeeded in their mission and realized it was nothing but a huge jack-fruit log approximately 30 feet long and four feet in circumference. It was found 15 feet deep. This timber piece has a historical story behind it.

History behind the mythological jackfruit timber

According to ‘tulu paddana’, four centuries ago there was a holy woman by the name of Baggu, who had four brothers. She wanted to possess an ‘oil making wooden tool’, so as per her wish her four brothers went to Marne and found a huge jackfruit tree. They decided to take it with them to Kalmady and cut it into four parts. They pushed the pieces into a nearby river. The logs floated to Kalmady and surprisingly sunk to the spot. Baggu’s brothers offered prayers and Baggu challenged gods to reveal the truth. All of a sudden a strong wind rose in the midst of the river and these three pieces got thrown onto the river bank. It is believed that panjurli daiva came from Marne following the jackfruit timber and Panjurli worked in Baggu's favour. The locals say that the entire place came to be known as ‘Baggumunda’.

Panjurli belongs to the Moily community and this came to light through a ritual called 'darshana' which is practiced during the Sankranthi season.

The three jackfruit logs were used up in making tools like gana (a coconut oil making wooden tool), temple door, wooden table and so on.

Laxman, the Kalmady village head says, "Of course something did happen four centuries back. That is why we believe in mythological stories based on faith and nothing else.”

Prof Krishnaiah, director of Oriental Archives Research Centre says, "We cannot judge without testing the tree. It is believed that ancient people had faith on the abstract form of god. Whatever it is, we must bring the wood to the notice of the government."

However we will know the fact only after a lab test by conducted by the archaeological department. The archaeologist will decide its life expectancy and durability.

Many timber merchants rushed to purchase the log, but villagers kept it from reaching the market as the people of Kalmady believe that panjurli daiva rules the village and if any misdeeds occur they will have to pay for them as punishment. No government authorized official has visited the place since many days.

A recent piece of information states that if any sculptures, carved scripts, names and art are found, they must come under archaeological department. If there are no supporting forms, then it will be handed over to the forest department.

This centuries old piece of timber has now become a center of attraction for the Udupians. Peer groups, senior citizens, children are visiting Baggumunda out of curiosity and discussing it. If we go through the issue and raise a question against their belief it may hurt the villagers' religious feelings but legal guidelines need to be followed.