Pics: Ramesh Pandith
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Aug 14: Aati Amavasya is here - the day of the year on which a concoction prepared by using Paale tree bark is consumed by Tuluvas. Aati Amavasya happens to be a sacred day for Tuluvas which they eagerly look forward to. They have, since times immemorial, come to believe that scraping the bark of 'Paale' (Satni Rooku in Konkani, Devil's or Spirit's Tree), and drinking a tea made out of this bark by boiling it with some other ingredients like garlic, turmeric and fenugreek seeds works as a magic potion that provides them with immunity against diseases that are specific for rainy season, as well as work against evil effects of past sins.

Early morning, elderly men from the family visit the thickets or forests, collect the bark, make the concoction, drink it, and have bath. They also visit temples, take holy dip in temple ponds, and offer prayers.

Narahari Parvata near B C Road, Karinjeshwara in Vogga, Bantwal, Kirimanjeshwar near Kundapur etc., are some of the temples visited by the devotees on this day, to pray to the divine for their health and secure future.

The people of coastal Karnataka believe that consuming of this Kashaya enables their bodies to handle ill-affects of climatic changes, fear of spirits, non-availability of normal food which compels people to consume seasonal vegetables, etc. It is said that ancient doctors practicing native medicines had found this magical remedy after long research. However, they put a condition that the bark of this tree carries magical qualities only during the first three days of this month.

As the bark is bitter, and garlic, pepper, cumin seeds etc are added to it, 'Paale' drink happens to be bitter and astringent. There is also a procedure how Paale bark is to be extracted. The 'Kashaya' is customarily consumed before sunrise on Aati Amavasya.

Every year, we hear about people dying or falling sick because of wrong identification of Paale tree, as a couple of other trees resemble this tree. As it is usually dark when the bark is collected, people are advised to identify the trees before hand, preferably the previous evening. It is said that excellent medicinal qualities of this tree had been found by ancient Ayurveda researchers like Charaka and Sushutha, and it is used by Homeopathic practitioners and practitioners of Chinese system of treatment. However, the practice of consuming this drink is in vogue only in coastal Karnataka at present.