Brahma Baidarkala Temple Nemotsav Sets Tone for Festive Season
Shekar Ajekar
Daijiworld Media Network—Moodbidri (RD/CN)
Karkala, Aug 19: The first ‘Nemotsav’ of the monsoon season was held at Brahma Baidarkala temple, Hirgana, near here, on Wednesday August 18 and Thursday August 19.
The temples across Tulunadu do not witness much religious fervour during the entire month of ‘Aaati’, but gain momentum as the ‘Sankranti’ of ‘Sona’ month approaches. A month-long break for the temple deities also forms part of Tulunadu cultural traditions.
As one travels in the local bus from Karkala to Ajekar, near here, one comes across a spot called Nellikatte, 8 km from here. Brahma Baidarkala Temple is located a few furlongs towards the east of Nellikatte junction. The annual Nemotsav of the season was held at the temple, led by the Billava community.
Thousands of devotees from the locality and neighbouring taluks witnessed the religious rituals at the temple and made offerings to the temple deity on the occasion.
The ‘Kolotsav’ of Mayandala (Manibale) was a significant religious ritual held at the temple on Thursday. It is a belief that couples longing for children and those seeking marital bliss flock to the temple annually to offer their prayers. There were several devotees who arrived at the temple this year to express their gratitude for fulfillment of their wishes, while others sought favours.
The Nemotsav for Baidarkala, Tulunadu’s heroic icons Koti–Chennaya, Jogipurusha, and Vyagra Chamundi were held on Wednesday night. Other religious rites were also held on par with other temple traditions in Tulunadu.
The religious rituals at the temple were conducted for many years by the Jain community, and this was challenged by a group of people belonging to the Billava community led by the late Tabura Poojary, Shivanna, Gopa Poojary, and Mabu Poojary. The annual rituals are being held annually under the chairmanship of Shivanna and secretary Ratnakar Poojary.
“The Billava community only contributes for Nemotsav and ‘Agel’ offerings to spirits. The people of other communities are free to offer prayers and partake in religious rites”, said Shivanna.
It’s significant that only vegetarian delicacies are offered during Agel while the practice of offering non-vegetarian delicacies prevails across Tulunadu.
Chakku and Uggappa were the Nemotsav artistes performing religious rituals at the historical temple, but over the past three years Chikude of Kukkundoor village has been performing these.
Free food is offered to all devotees during ‘Sona Sankrati’ and ‘Maha Navami’ festivals, usually donated by Chindubai and brothers. Besides, special pujas and daily pujas are being held at the temple every Tuesday and Friday. Krishna Puja and religious rites are also being held.
Temple priests Praveen Bhat Kanangi and Srikant Bhat Kanangi are performing various religious rituals at the temple.
“I have come to the temple after 20 years. The memories of my childhood flood my mind. I have been fortunate to get an opportunity to partake in the temple celebrations along with my wife and children. I am happy and grateful to the temple deity”, said Shashikant Kanangi, an employee of Sharjah-based Liberty Automobile, while speaking to daijiworld.
Jannappa Mogarahalli, a native of Shimoga district, and his brother-in-law Nagaraj Hosanagar have come to the temple seeking the intercession of the temple deity in tracing the lineage of their grandmother Radhamma.