Sullia: Devotees Walk on Burning Charcoal as Show of Faith to Deity
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network—Sullia (RS/CN)
Sullia, Mar 31: The worship of demi-gods in undivided Dakshina Kannada district is popular and is known for the special shows of faith to the deity. These vary and in some places dancing to the accompaniment of local music is a popular act.
‘Ottekola’ is another rarer act which involves dancing on burning charcoal.
This act of faith in the demi-god Vishnumoorthi was organized in Kallugundi near Sampaje in Sullia recently. The ‘Kenda Seve’ is a special offering to the deity involving running on a heap of burning charcoal.
Before beginning the celebration, the locals collect a pile of wood in a wide paddy field. After some rituals performed at the temple to the demi-god, they set fire to the wood.
The fire burns the wood and after it turns to charcoal after burning for several hours, the Kenda Seve starts. A priest walking slowly on the charcoal inaugurates the offering with accompanying rites. Later, the devotees run on the charcoal.
The devotees who run on the burning charcoal undertake a fast and do not get injured by running on it. They believe it to be a special offer to the god, which makes their family blessed and helps them get good yield in agriculture besides bringing them good health.
Locals of Kallugundi celebrate Ottekola as a festival of the locality, and believe this ritual performance makes them blessed. There is a belief that the fervour to the god helps in getting good crops and great yield in agriculture.
Thousands of people from the area participated in the day and night function with fervour. ‘Singari Mela’, a performance of ‘Chende’ by a team from Kerala was also arranged during the night.
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