Udupi: Rich Tulunadu Cultural Heritage Lives On

Pics: Durga Digitals
Daijiworld Media Network—Udupi (RD/CN)
 
Udupi, Jan 20: The annual chariot festival, ‘Nemotsav’, folklore and cultural extravaganza of traditional worship in temples across the coastal district of Tulunadu, in the abode of ancient sage Parashuram, begins soon after Deepavali and conclude by the end of May every year.
 
As per the Tulu adage, annual chariot festivals across Tulunadu resume in ‘Jarde’ month of the Tulu calendar and conclude in ‘Pattanaje’. The first chariot festival of the season is at Yermal temple, near here, and the last at Kandepu temple in Suratkal. The annual chariot festivals, Nemotsav, ‘Kambala’, ‘Yakshagana’ and various other rituals are held during the period across Tulunadu. 
 

The annual chariot festivals in various temples of the coastal district were celebrated with gaiety and traditional worship of Nemotsav over the generations. The pomp and gaiety of all these attract devotees from all over the nation and abroad, as it gives a glimpse of past cultural hierarchy in Tulunadu.

‘Brahmakalashabishek’, ‘Nagamandala’ and other kinds of worship are traditionally held exclusively during this period kindling religious fervour among the devotees. ‘Dakke Bali’ which is performed once in two years at Padubidri seems to be a specialty of the coastal area.
 
These festivals and rituals help sustain the traditional celebrants and their families. The traditional musicians also earn their livelihood during these festivities. Besides strengthening the religious fervour among a wide section of devotees in current times, they also help pass on age old traditions to the new generation of youngsters.