Kanakagiri Awaits Development as Tourist Centre
News & Pics: Shekar Ajekar
Daijiworld Media Network—Moodbidri (RD/CN)
Moodbidri, Aug 17: As the nation celebrated ‘Independence Day Sunday August 15, hundreds of devotees flocked to the origin of the Nandini River at Kanakabettu, near Mijar, to offer annual worship on account of ‘Naga Panchami’.
Devotees arrived from all over undivided Dakshina Kannada district to offer ‘puja’ here although they are scattered all over on account of their jobs and businesses.
The puja offerings of hundreds of tender coconuts, several liters of cow’s milk, and nearly 50 kg of beaten rice were stored in the area where the Nandini River began its maiden journey, winding through dense forest and flowing across the plains of the coastal district. It also gets divinity as a tributary joins the river near Sri Kshetra Durgaparameshwari Temple, Kateel, Mangalore.
It’s significant that although the Nandini River originates at Kanakagiri (Kanakabettu), near here, it has not become a tourist spot for lack of awareness. A tiny spring that tickles at the foothill of Kanakagiri, a
picturesque spot, turns into a rivulet where its tributaries join to flow as the Nandini River, a lifeline for coastal residents irrigating hectares of farmlands and providing drinking water to thousands of people in
erstwhile Tulunadu.
A family that resides at Kanakagiri had renovated the traditional sanctuary of ‘Naga’ here, a few years ago, with contributions from local residents. They have provided basic amenities to the devotees
who flock here during Naga Panchami from all over the undivided DK district, to offer puja to Naga. They have maintained the original habitat with genuine concern to avoid reckless slaughter of eco diversity.
An access path to the origin of Nandini River has been cut in the deep woods for the devotees to reach the spot effortlessly and maintain sanctity. The crystal clear water of the tiny streams and the sanctity of
nature are found in their original glory here.
“Worship is held at Kanakagiri twice a year during Naga Panchami and again in February when devotees arrive here to offer thanksgiving for divine graces. On that day, ‘Nemotsav’, worship to divine spirits is conducted by a family who maintains the sacred spot at Kanakagiri”, said M K Ratnakar, proprietor, Sarala Motors. MLA K Abayachandra Jain, renowned lawyer M K Vijay Kumar and others belong to this family that oversees the sacred spot. Ninety-four-year-old M K Nadiraj and Dejamma are the seniormost in the family.
“The puja is held on ‘Sasti’, a significant feast in Tulunadu, with the assistance of priests and assistants”, said Sudarshan Poonja who oversees the arrangements here.
Legend Behind Nandini River
Contemporary sage Jabali was known to have sought the intercession of Kamadhenu, Goddess of Water, to flow from heaven into the parched land that was undergoing severe drought for many years, and where people were doomed to perish forever. However, a miracle happened due to the heavy penance and devotion of sage Jabali, and Nandini, the daughter of Kamadhenu, took birth at the foothill of Kanakagiri in the form of a tiny stream where sage Jabali began relentless prayers forsaking food. Thus, Nandini took the shape of a tiny stream and began flowing into Tulunadu and restored crops and rejuvenated the parched land.
Nandini River unites with Cauvery and deserves to get its due as its tributary at Sri Kshetra Kateel has divinity associated with it.