Mounesh Vishwakarma

Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal (EP)

Bantwal, Apr 8: A five day long festival of a ball was set in motion on Saturday April 6 at historical Polali Rajarajeshwari temple.

The priests, managing committee, trustees and temple heads prayed and brought to the holy field in procession together with Ammunje and Ulipadiguthu community members a ball weighing 18 kg prepared by Padmanabaha Chamagara of Moodbidri Chowta territory.

People of Ammunje and Ulipadiguthu welcome the gathered and called for the game of ball by saying ‘Ammunje Manel Chend Dumbubale Mallur Bollur Chend Ormed Jappule’. Ganiga community members, who are holding the ball, hand it over to Pardakhanda family to throw it up. Mulalai Ammunje community youth and children are taking part.

The one, who lifts the ball, brings it to the side of the field and hands it over to the person who threw it, is the winner. The game is being held thrice a day. The festival concludes when the ball is brought back to the temple in procession. It is called Jeetige Salam. The festival of ball in Polali is held for five days.