M'lore: Bhootanatheshwara Kreedotsava - Rendezvous for Glory of Rural Sports

Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (VA)

Mangalore, Jan 8: Sri Bhootanatheshwara Kreedotsava will be held under the auspices of Shasthavu Bhootanatheshwara temple and Bhoothanatheshwara Bhajana Mandali, Badaga Yedapadavu, Mijar on February 12 and 13.

The Kreedotasava is a festival of village games and is an attempt to revive traditional games and sports of Tulunadu region comprising Dakshina Kannada and Udupi regions. Sri Bhootanatheshwara Kreedotsava will coincide with the annual Bhajana Mangalotsava of the temple which will take place in the month of March, during which many cultural activities are also planned, including mega entertainment show involving reputed artistes and celebrities. This will be followed by Village Cricket Tournament to be organized in April, for which elaborate plans are being made.

Sri Bhootanatheshwara Kreedotsava

Competitions in as many as 21 village games will be conducted and gold, silver and bronze medals will be given to the winners in addition to the attractive prize money. The competitions cover all categories like solo and group, male, female, children and senior citizens. Though the event is organized by a temple, people of all castes, communities and religions are welcome to participate in the true spirit of brotherhood, communal harmony and national integration.

Shastavu Sri Bhootanatheshwara Temple is a 1,500 year old shrine and the deity represented by three lingams is a unique feature of the temple. Sri Brahmakalashotsava celebrations of the renovated temple took place in a grand manner on May 19th 2010 and thousands of devotees converged to receive blessings of the deity.

Subsequently, the temple authorities under the leadership of  Vijaynath Vittal Shetty have decided to organize this village games contest in order to boost the rural community life. An organizing committee has been formed with volunteers drawn from the Bhoothanatheshwara Bhajana Mandali to oversee the event and wide publicity is being given to attract maximum participation in this sports meet.

Premnath Shetty, Physical Director, Swami Vivekananda College, Yedapadav has consented to be in charge of overseeing the professional conduct of the event. Premnath Shetty is an accomplished sportsman, proficient in Athletics, Weightlifting and Kabbadi. He was a university record holder for shot-put, hammer throw and discus throw. He is a coach, actively grooming the Athletics Teams in Puttur and Vittal. He was the organizing secretary of Alva’s State Level Athletics Tournament 2006, co-ordinator
of National under 19 Volleyball Tournament held at Sharada Vidyalaya and was involved in organizing National Kabbadi Tournament. At present, he is the vice- president of State Physical Directors' Association.

Speaking to Daijiworld the organizer Vijaynath Shetty said that the main purpose of holding such an event was to preserve the rich Indian tradition and encourage rural games and sports bringing together village folks particularly and community at large.

List of Games and Some Highlights of the Event

Tug of War (Hagga Jaggata), Mud Field Running Race (Kesarugadde Ota), Treasure Hunt in Mud Field, Coconut Basket Race, Dehusking Coconut With Teeth, Frog Jumping (Gunny Bag Race), and Cycle Racing (30 kms) are some of the interesting games being conducted.

Other talents being tested are Beedi Rolling, Weaving Coconut Leaf design, Rice Packing (Mudi), Rangoli, Drawing and Fancy Dress. Fancy Dress and Natural Body Building (unlike professional body building) too will be judged. As a tribute to the agricultural tradition of this region, best decorated cow and best looking Kori contest too will take place.

Attractive prize money like Rs 25,000 for Cycle Race, Rs 15,000 for Tug-of-war (Group) and Rs. 5,000 for best decorated cow and Rs 3,000 for best looking Kori and so on will be given.

A special attraction is ‘Manassuda Ullasogu Bodad Anchinala Malpuva’, which is a talent show, where any individual or group having a special talent in any field should come and perform in front of the judges, similar to the Sony TV programme ‘Entertainment Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega’. The prize money for this event starts from Rs 20,000.

Dress Code

In order to highlight the traditional rural community life, dress code is compulsory for all players. Male players have to compulsorily wear white mundu and female players must wear saree / churidar while playing the games, failing which they will not be allowed to take part in the event.

Those interested in participating in the competitions may register themselves using the official entry form which may be availed by contacting the following persons:

Pradeep - 99029 69346
Radhakrishna - 99029 65238
Sudharam Punja - 97418 50775

For further details one can contact: Vijaynath Shetty: 09821015336; Arjun Rai: 09890093211