Daijiworld Media Network - Shivamogga (MS)

Shivamogga, Sep 2: There is a unique village in the district, which has the distinction of being the only village in Karnataka, in which all people, irrespective of caste and religion speak the Sanskrit language.

Mattur is the village, which is just 10 km away from Shivamogga city. This village is noted at world level now for this special aspect. Sanskrit language studies started in this village in 1983 and are continuing even today.

The camp which was held with the eagerness to learn Sanskrit within 10 days gave inspiration to the whole village, which turned into a totally Sanskrit speaking village in a few years. Late Pejawar Shree who had come for the Sanskrit camp, in the beginning, had given a call to make the whole village a completely Sanskrit speaking one. The campaign that started in 1983 is continuing even now also.

More than 80% of villagers use Sanskrit for speaking as well as for business purpose. Most of the students of this village have chosen Sanskrit as the first language in their studies. Many have done a PhD in Sanskrit also.

Another attraction of this village is that right from kids to elderly people speak Sanskrit fluently. The village boasts of a Sanskrit research centre also. Many students are studying Sanskrit here. The contribution of Mattur in preserving Sanskrit, the ancient language of India, is immense. This is an inspiration for Indians living in other parts of the country also.