Bantwal: Sullamale - Fusion of Faith, Nature's Splendour
News & Pics: Mounesh Vishwakarma
Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal (SP/SB)
Bantwal, Sep 10: The lush green hill, Sullamale located in the taluk is definitely a paradise for nature lovers and faithfuls alike.
Like Kalenjimale, the hill too has thick forests, which were once inhibited by wild animals. It is still a treasure trove of legendary milestones that are visited by the devotees. Visit to the place has been rejuvenating the faith of the faithful in the divine since times immemorial.
Sullamale is known for its unique source of holy bath located in a cave and is different from Karinja, Narahari Parvatha and a few other places that are frequented by devotees for taking a holy dip. The people have come to believe that the holy dip in the pond of the said cave can be started beginning from new moon day of Shravana month. On the day, on an auspicious moment, known as ‘Kerpu’ in Tulu, the priests offer prayers to the demigods there and announce the beginning of the holy bath, which will continue till the day of Ganesha Chaturthi.
‘Kerpu’ actually means a ladder. For having a bath in the cave, the devotees have to get down into the cave by using a ladder. It is traditionally prescribed that this ladder has to be made out of bamboos with 16 joints.
Legends describe about divine personalities known as ‘Aradas’, who were living in this area. People believe, that before their last journey, they moved through this cave, gave birth to the holy stream in the cave and left behind their belongings to a person named Kunhi Alva. People also believe that a demigod, Chamundi Daiva, was created from a small stone, which came to be known as Guddachamundi in course of time.
Later, a temple for Gudda Chamundeshwari was built at Shambhuga. There is a belief that the holy water to this cave arrives from Varanasi and that the Pandavas lived here. There are certain restrictions over taking holy bath in the cave.
It is a tiring task to climb the hill and pass through a difficult terrain to reach the cave. However, nature’s bounty eases the nerves and makes one ecstatic. The cave appears to have been created naturally. People raise eulogies for Anantadi Sri Ullalti Daiva while crawling through the crevices, where water trickles down over the head. People hold each others’ hands and move further in torch light.
The spot where the pond is created can accommodate only 10 to 12 people at a time. People also offer coconuts, betel leaves and areacanuts among others to the holy water.
People normally start to crowd the place the previous day of Ganesha Chaturthi and wait all night long for their turn to take a dip. They believe that taking the holy bath early morning on Ganesha Chaturthi earns them divine virtues (punya). Thousands, including women and men, take this adventurous trip and get a feeling of fulfilment.
The route to the cave is through Anantady and Mani villages. There is no specific path to reach here. People have to move through thorny bushes which cut through their clothes and skin. The journey is tiresome, and the government can do a lot to ease the problems of the devotees. People and officials have to work together to develop the place.