Silvester D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (MS)
Kundapur, Mar 11: All over India, the celebration of Holi, festival of colours, was affected because of the coronovirus epidemic. However, in the taluk of Kundapur it did not deter the Konkana Kharvi community from celebrating their big festival of the year with joy and happiness.
Holi festival is celebrated over a period of one week by the Konkana Kharvi community of the taluk. On the last day, which fell on Tuesday, March 10, colour festival was celebrated. More than 1,000 people took part in the procession, which is taken out every year on the last day of the Holi.
Holi festival has a special place in the Konkana Kharvi community of the taluk. They also hold Kamadhahana as part of the Holi, which signifies the victory of good over the evil.
Konkana Kharvi community, which is spread from Mangaluru in Karnataka to Goa adore Shakti and are very strict in their religious traditions. Goddess Mahakali, situated in the Kharvi Keri of the town is their Goddess. In addition, there are Goddesses Maha Saraswathi and Mahalaxmi also. The Holi celebrations begin and end in this temple itself.
On the first day, people go to Kundeshwar temple in procession and hold 'Holi Maand' ritual. 'Adde Beeluvudu' is a special programme in this ritual. They hold cultural programme, stick dance and Holi songs in their respective areas.
On the second day various religious rituals are held in the paddy field where the burning of Holi will take place. On the fourth day, the day of Holi Hunnime, the event of burning the Holi is held. More than 5,000 people take part in this celebration. A visit is made to the cremation ground before holding this ritual. There prayer is done in honour of Shivagana.
There is a special connection between the Holi festival and visit to the cremation ground during the Holi festival. Holi festival is nothing but the adoration of Shiva and Parvathi. It is believed that Shiva lives in cremation ground. So a visit is given to such area before holding Kamadhahan.
The seventh day of Holi was celebrated on Saturday, March 7. More than 1,000 people took part in the celebration. Various traditional and religious rituals were held at the Mahakali temple of Kharvikeri. Various colours were kept in front of the Goddess. A grand procession was taken after completion of the traditional rituals at the temple.