Mangalore: The Legend of Ali Bhootha Brings Together Hindus, Muslims
Pics: Suresh Yedanadu
Daijiworld Media Network—Mangalore (RS/CN)
Mangalore, Apr 8: Tulunadu is famous for ‘Bhootharadhane’. ‘Bhoothas’ here are worshipped as ‘Daiva’, the God from this land. Bhoothas or Daivas are considered essential for communal harmony.
As such, the ‘Ali Bootha’ of the Ali Chamundi Daivastana in Arikkadi, Kumble, is worshipped by both Muslims and Hindus.
People encountering problems come to the ‘bhootha’ for solutions. Many devotees present in the temple during the annual ‘Nemotsav’ claim that Ali Bhootha is the most powerful one who has solutions for all.
During the festival, Muslim and Hindu devotees offer chickens and jasmine flowers to Ali Bhootha.
The temple here is also popularly known as ‘Pade Ali Bhoothastana. The Ali Bhootha is also called the ‘Karyakaran’ of Chamundi Bhootha , which roughly translated means ‘secretary’ of Chamundi Bhootha.
The Origin of Ali Bhootha
Legend has it that Ali hailed from Diu Island and was in Tulunadu on business. He also was familiar with ‘Mantravada’ or tantric powers. He soon turned into a nuisance for the womenfolk of the area.
The women prayed to the deity Chamundi to save them from the wily Ali. However, the ‘Tayitha’ or ‘Urku’ (talisman) that Ali wore, protected him from harm.
Finally, one day as Ali passed by Chatrampalla, a pond, he saw a woman bathing there. The woman called out to Ali to join her in the pond. It is said that while preparing to step into the water, Ali removed the talisman and the woman seized the opportunity to kill him in the pond.
The people believe that the woman was an incarnation of Chamundi.
However, following Ali’s death, the locals faced many problems which they attributed to his dissatisfied soul or ‘Pretha’.
They believe that the ritual of ‘Prethochchatane’ helps deal with all problems that seemingly have no solution.
Every year, the management trust of the temple conducts a seven-day Nemostav.
The Landmarks
The Chatrampalla, the pond where Ali was supposedly killed is still here. By the side of this pond, an umbrella-shaped rock formation and rock sandals are also seen.
The people who believe in Ali Bhootha attribute him with great powers and say that all requests made through him will be fulfilled in a year.
‘Kollaththodu Kollam’
During the Nemotsav, the ‘Pathradhari’ of Ali Bhootha when giving ‘prasadam’ to devotees says ‘Kollaththodu Kollam’, a Malayam word meaning ‘every year’. The devotees take this to mean that they must then visit the temple during the festival each year without fail.
Hence, a lot of visitors refrain from asking for the prasadam. This is a unique feature observed in this temple for elsewhere it is considered important to seek the ‘prasadam’ without fail.