Category Archives: Travel, Tourism & Homestays (wef. Oct 03rd, 2021)

18th-century Kodagu edifice with many tales to tell hopes for revival

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Leaders, Records, All, Travel, Tourism & Homestays (wef. Oct 03rd, 2021)

“This edifice is believed to be the house of Hombale Nayaka, a close aide of King Dodda Veera Rajendra who once ruled Kodagu kingdom,” said Nagesh Kaluru, a writer.

The outside view of the 18th century edifice near Murnad.

Madikeri :

Three stone pillars with Nandi sculptures on them. This is what is first seen of an age-old edifice in Kathuru village limits in Murnad of Madikeri taluk. Over three centuries old, the building is now covered with scribbles carelessly left by people who did not know better. However, if revived, this edifice will narrate the iconic history of Kodagu and its renowned kings.

The Archaeological Department is currently involved in village surveys across Kodagu to identify and revive historical places. During one such survey in Murnad limits, the 18th-century edifice was located amidst the bountiful coffee estates in the area. 

“During the village survey, we were told about this place by the locals,” explained Rekha, curator of Kodagu District Museum. The department with support from the NSS students of Murnad PU College and professor Harish Kiggal cleared the area of dense growing weed and the edifice glowed under the sun.

“This edifice is believed to be the house of Hombale Nayaka, a close aide of King Dodda Veera Rajendra who once ruled Kodagu kingdom,” said Nagesh Kaluru, a writer. 

According to historical findings, Homabale Nayaka stayed here during the 18th century along with his family. A close aide of the royal family, he was one of the people who helped the king escape from Tipu Sultan’s prisons in 1788.

The historical edifice was under the care of the Kere Mane family settled in Kathuru. The family has an ancestral connection with Homable Nayaka and the building had been home to many other ancestors from the family. 

However, the archeological department has now discovered the historical importance of the edifice. There is though no confirmation from the department about plans to revive it. Other historical monuments in the district including the Madikeri Fort and the Nalknad Palace are already awaiting funds for maintenance.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Pragna GR, Express News Service / January 25th, 2022

Geetha Jayanti observed in Madikeri

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Leaders, Records, All, Travel, Tourism & Homestays (wef. Oct 03rd, 2021)
VHP Dharma Prasarana Pramukh Krishna Upadhyaya inaugurates Shaurya Sanchalana Yatre in Madikeri.

Members of Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Bajrang Dal, Mathrmandali and Durgavahini observed Shaurya Sanchalana as a part of Geetha Jayanti.

The activists who had arrived from different parts of the district had congregated at Chowdeshwari Temple. Later, they took out a procession at Chowki Circle, Ajjamada Devaiah Circle, General Thimayya Circle and a stage programme was held at Omkareshwara Temple hall.

Delivering the address, VHP Dharma Prasarana Pramukh Krishna Upadhyaya said that Hindus are still a majority in India due to the efforts of Hindu organisations. There are no restrictions in Hinduism. 

Several people have made sacrifices for the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, he said.

“India will be saved only with Hindutva. There is a need to save the culture and tradition of the land,” he added. 

He called upon people to love the country. 

VHP district president Krishnamurthy also spoke on the occasion.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DHNS, Madikeri / December 19th, 2021

Rs. 50 Lakh Released For New Elephant Camp At Harangi

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Records, All, Travel, Tourism & Homestays (wef. Oct 03rd, 2021)

Madikeri:

The State Government has released Rs. 50 lakh to set up a new elephant camp at Harangi in Kodagu District. Already, Kodagu has two elephant camps, one at Dubare and another at Mathigodu near Anechowkur Gate that borders Mysuru.

The aim of the new camp is to decongest the existing eight camps across Karnataka where the pachyderm population has increased over the years. The State Government in February this year had ordered the setting up of a new elephant camp at Harangi.

Replying to a question raised by Madikeri MLA M.P. Appachu Ranjan in the on-going Legislature session at Belagavi regarding the Harangi Elephant Camp and a Tree Park, also at Harangi, Forest Minister Umesh Katti said that from 2017 till 2021-22 Rs.1.38 crore has been released by the Government and works are on to create the Tree Park.

This apart, Rs. 50 lakh has been released for Harangi elephant camp under funds from Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA). Apart from setting up a new elephant camp, there are plans to initiate other related development programmes including developing the camp as a tourist centre and at the same time provide shelter to the elephants, he added.

File photos of Dubare Elephant Camp near Kushalnagar in Kodagu district.

The Forest Department will establish the elephant camp in a 40-acre land at Athur Reserve Forest beside Harangi Reservoir in Kushalnagar Taluk. The place, located near the Harangi Dam backwaters, is ideal to set up the elephant camp.

The Government has also plans to closely develop Cauvery Nisargadhama in Kushalnagar and together with the new elephant camp in the region, the initiatives will boost eco-tourism activities, the Minister told the Assembly.

Currently, Karnataka has eight jumbo camps housing about more than 100 tamed elephants that are used to rescue wild animals and for logging purposes at Government timber depots.

The new elephant camp is expected to reduce the burden on the nearby Dubare Elephant Camp, which currently has over 32 elephants, the highest in the State.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News> Top Stories / December 20th, 2021

The real picture

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Travel, Tourism & Homestays (wef. Oct 03rd, 2021), World Opinion

Shot in Kodagu, this short film that is winning several international awards, throws light on the fight against sexual abuse.

Bengaluru :

Three characters, 15 minutes and one message…that’s One Right Kick, a Kannada short film that has won 12 international awards in the category of Best Film on Women. Directed by Balachander Muthappa, the short film features Simhika PV, daughter of PV Shashikanth, former Karnataka Ranji cricket team head coach, as one of the lead roles, along with artistes Ramesh Patil and Mohan Kumar.

The film is based on the awakening of the power of self-defence within women who are victims of sexual abuse. Shot in Kodagu’s Somwarpet, the short film is based on the first spark of fear faced by any woman or girl across the globe. According to the director, the film narrates a story of a young innocent carefree girl who is subject to bad touch. Following an untoward incident which she is unable to express to her family or friends, there is a ‘simple survival technique’ that is choreographed to overcome fear and instill courage.

So far, One Right Kick has bagged awards at the Singapore International Short Film Festival, Indo-French International Film Festival, International Motion Picture Festival of India, Turkey Golden Wolf Film Festival, among others. According to director Muthappa, One Right Kick is the only Kannada film presented this year that will be screened at Pinewood Studio in the UK till December 13.

Simhika, who is a trained actor from Anupam Kher’s Actor Prepares, says, “Every parent is concerned when their girl child travels in public transport. When they experience any untoward incident, a girl cannot open up to society for help. This film breaks away from that and shows how a girl can muster the courage to fight back against such anti-social elements.”

She adds that essaying the role of a victim of sexual abuse was challenging. “Throughout the film, I had to express disappointment and fear and my expressions had to overpower dialogues,” says Simhika, who will be going to the US to pursue film studies at the New York Film Academy.

The film also carries very little scope for dialogues and deals with body movements and expressions. The “uneasy silence” throughout the film also symbolises how society still stays quiet on issues of sexual abuse, claims the director.

“We want this message to transcend borders. This film gives a different dimension on how to deal with sexual abuse in a public place using an unusual defence technique that target’s the criminal’s sensitive organ (sic),” says Muthappa, who also adds the film also deals with, fear, courage and survival. One Right Kick is expected to stream on an OTT platform for the first time in December.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bengaluru / by Express News Service / November 28th, 2021

Authorities moot ‘Greater’ Raja Seat in Madikeri

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg), Green Initiatives / Environment, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Records, All, Travel, Tourism & Homestays (wef. Oct 03rd, 2021)

The Kodagu district administration on Friday conducted a meeting to develop Raja Seat, which is a popular tourist attraction in Madikeri.

Deputy Commissioner B.C.Satish instructed the officials to prepare a blueprint to develop the existing place into a ‘Greater’ Raja Seat.

He directed the Horticulture Department to take up the repair of the musical fountain which is defunct, on a priority basis. Similar instructions were issued to restore the functioning of the toy train.

The Coorg Village which has already been inaugurted, should start functioning immediately, said the Deputy Commissioner while the offiicals suggested the installation of a high mast lamp in the vicinity.

It was also decided to organise a Coffee Mela to coincide with Christmas when the town and the district is visited by hordes of tourists, apart from conducting cultural programmes during holidays.

Incidentally, the previous round of development works carried out by the authorities had come under flak from conservationists on the grounds that the place was being concretised and its beauty being eroded.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States / by Special Correspondent / Mysuru – November 26th, 2021

Huthari festival observed with traditional fervour

Agriculture, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Green Initiatives / Environment, Leaders, Nature, Records, All, Travel, Tourism & Homestays (wef. Oct 03rd, 2021)
The paddy sheaves were cut by the CNC members during Huthari celebrations at the paddy field belonging to Nandineravanda Uthappa, in Chikkabettageri.

The Codava National Council (CNC), led by its president N U Nachappa, celebrated Huthari or Puthari — the harvest festival of Kodagu, at a paddy field of Nandineravanda Uthappa, in Chikkabettageri village, near Kushalnagar, on Friday.

Wearing traditional Kodava attire, the members participated in the celebrations by cutting paddy sheaves. Later, they offered prayers for the prevalence of peace and to eradicate Covid-19 from the world. 

The members offered prayers to the gods and initiated the process of Huthari celebrations by ‘Nere Kattuva’ ritual using the leaves of Arali, mango, jackfruit, Kumbali and cashew nut trees. 

After the rituals, the members took out a procession to the paddy field, accompanied by the ‘Dudikottpat’. After firing thrice in the air, Nachappa offered puja rituals and cut paddy sheaves.

Later, the paddy sheaves were brought back to the house and puja rituals were conducted.

CNC members presented ‘Kolata’, ‘Pareyakali’ and other cultural programmes.

Later, they also danced to the traditional beats and relished rice payasa, ‘Thambittu,’ ‘Kadubu,’ ‘pandi curry,’ ‘chicken curry’ and others. 

Speaking on the occasion, Nachappa urged the government to declare a national holiday for the Puthari festival. 

The Kodavas should be considered as a separate race to save the Kodava tribal culture for the future generation. Kodava language should be included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, he said. 

“Kodava culture has all the qualifications to be included in the Intangible Cultural Heritage List of Unesco. By showcasing our rituals, we can assert our rights,” he added.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DHNS, Kushalnagar / November 19th, 2021

Website on preserving Kodava culture launched

About Kodagu / Coorg, Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All, Sports, Travel, Tourism & Homestays (wef. Oct 03rd, 2021)

A new website featuring the unique culture of Kodavas, documenting the customs and traditions of the community, has been launched. The website www.kodavas.in has been put together by journalist and author B.T. Bopanna.

“My main intention is to document the customs and traditions of Kodavas, a microscopic minority community, which is slowly losing its moorings in Kodagu. Most of the younger Kodavas, who have been brought up in cities like Bengaluru and Mysuru, are unaware of the essence of Kodava culture. I felt a website was the best medium to increase awareness of the culture and help preserve it”, Mr. Bopanna said in a statement.

Mr. Bopanna, who has also pieced together five websites including his first www.coorgtourism way back in 2005, said the new website will “come in handy for someone wanting to know about the rituals involved in ceremonies connected with birth, wedding, death etc”.

In order to ensure that the content in the website was authentic, Mr. Bopanna said he took the help of Boverianda Chinnappa and Nanjamma Chinnappa, who had researched and written about Kodava culture.

“Much of the content in the website has been taken from the book Pattole Palame, compiled in 1924 by Nadikerianda Chinnappa, where the Kodava language folksongs, proverbs and riddles are transcribed in Kannada script and Kodava customs and traditions are described in Kannada language. The Pattole Palame was translated into English by Boverianda Chinnappa and Nanjamma. I have also borrowed content from their book ‘Ainmanes of Kodagu’”, Mr. Bopanna said.

The topics covered in the website including the origin of Kodavas, their customs, related to birth, wedding, death and their festivals, the religion of Kodavas, Kodava language, Jamma land tenure, their passion for the game of hockey, guns in Kodava culture, their ‘ainmanes’ etc. Mr .Bopanna said the website also contains video clips related to some of the topics on Kodava culture.

The site has been designed by Bhakti Saraswat-Devaiah, he added in the statement.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Mysuru – November 12th, 2021

Ban on cake-cutting, popping of champagne at Kodava weddings

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Leaders, Records, All, Travel, Tourism & Homestays (wef. Oct 03rd, 2021)

Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa’s community cites ‘tradition’, triggering charges of pushing Sangh parivar agenda.

Representational Image / File picture

An organisation of Kodavas in a pocket of Karnataka has banned cake-cutting and champagne-popping at the Hindu community’s wedding mandaps in the name of “tradition”, triggering charges of pushing a Sangh parivar agenda.

The Kodava Samaja of Ponnampet taluk (block) in Kodagu district, some 220km from here, issued the diktat on Friday against the “western” practices being increasingly adopted at Kodava weddings.

It clarified that cakes and champagne could be served at wedding feasts but the ceremonial cutting and popping on the mandap had to go.

It also directed grooms against sporting beards and brides from leaving their hair loose.

While most responses from Kodavas on social media have been favourable to the diktats, some have sniffed a saffronisation plot in a district that has become a BJP stronghold.

Chotekmada Rajiv Bopaiah, president of the Ponnampet Kodava Samaja, told The Telegraph on Monday: “We have nothing to do with the Sangh parivar. We are only saying our children should be taught our way of life.”

He added: “This decision is not to insult anyone or any other culture. But cutting cakes and popping champagne on the wedding platform is not our culture. Traditionally, our grooms do not sport beards on wedding day and the brides tie up their hair.

“But there’s a tendency nowadays to borrow practices and rituals from other cultures, which will eventually threaten the existence of our small community.”

A Hindu martial race numbering roughly 1.5 lakh and concentrated in Kodagu district and its neighbourhood, the Kodavas are known for their distinct culture, rooted in nature worship, and generally progressive outlook.

Notable Kodavas from Kodagu include Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa, General K.S. Thimayya, hockey internationals such as M.P. Ganesh, B.P. Govinda, M.M. Somaya, A.B. Subbiah and Arjun Halappa, and athlete Ashwini Nachappa.

Bopaiah said the Kodava Samaja in neighbouring Virajpet taluk, too, had on Sunday decided to implement similar restrictions.

Asked about the rest of the 32 Kodava Samajas, he said: “It’s up to them to take their own call.”

P.T. Bopanna, a Kodava author who has researched Kodava culture, said the diktat was a “move to push the Hindutva agenda”.

In an article on CoorgNews.in, which he edits, Bopanna described the restrictions as “not only regressive, but an insult to the Kodava community”.

He recalled a proposal in 2018 to ban women of childbearing age from climbing the Brahmagiri Hill in Kodagu following astrological advice that cautioned against “desecrating” the birthplace of river Cauvery that the Kodavas worship. The Sangh parivar supports a similar restriction in Sabarimala, Kerala.

A Kodava tweeter, K.K. Aiyamma, mocked the “Republic of Ponnampet” for the diktat and underlined that most Kodava Samajas had not adopted it.

“The order is only applicable to Republic of Ponnampet. The Bangalore, Mysore, Madikeri, Delhi, New York or Timbuktu Kodava Samaja have not issued any such diktat,” Aiyamma tweeted.

Chepudira P. Belliappa slammed the “fatwa” in a Facebook post.

“Kodavas take pride in being a forward-looking and progressive community. This ‘fatwa’ against cutting cake and serving champagne at weddings as un-Kodava, is absurd. How one celebrates a happy event should be their choice as long as it does not hurt anyone,” he wrote.

But Tim Kodava made a curt comment: “We are not Christians.”

Others asked whether the community would in that case be ready to shed Western clothing too?

source: http://www.telegraphindia.com / The Telegraph Online / Home> India / by K.M. Rakesh / November 09th, 2021

Honesty Glitters More Than Gold: Petrol Pump Staff Finds Suitcase With Jewels

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Records, All, Travel, Tourism & Homestays (wef. Oct 03rd, 2021)

A petrol pump attendant returned a suitcase that contained gold jewels worth more than Rs. 5 lakh to Rs. 6 lakh (a conservative estimate) to the actual owners. The suitcase was left on the main road by two women who had alighted a bus from Bengaluru in Kushalnagar.

On the night of Thursday (Nov. 4) at 10, a bus stopped in front of the TATA Petrol Pump in Kushalnagar amidst rain. Two women got down from the bus with bags and a black suitcase. They were waiting on the road while a car stopped in front of them. In a tearing hurry to get inside the car to escape rain, the women forgot the suitcase on the road. The car left the place moments later.

As it was closing time, H.V. Somashekar came out of his petrol pump office to close the gates after a long day. The black suitcase lying on the road amidst a drizzle caught his eye. He looked around only to see the area deserted. He did not open the suitcase; instead stood near it and called the Kushalnagar Police Station.

Dy.SP Shailendra and Circle Inspector Mahesh asked ASI Manjunath and two others to go to the spot and retrieve the suitcase, taking all precautions. They did not have any idea of what the suitcase contained and brought the same to the Police Station.

Petrol pump staff H V Somashekar

As they opened the box, they could not believe their eyes. It contained gold ornaments, all brand new. Not sure of the value of the gold, they also recovered cash worth Rs. 5,000 and two costly watches. There were some new clothes in it and the Police found a slip with a phone number.

When the Police called that number and told the woman on the other side who answered the call that they were calling from Kushalnagar Police Station, the woman immediately cut the call hearing the word ‘Police’ and switched off the mobile. The Police kept on trying but the mobile was not switched on.

However, at around midnight when the Police dialled the number, the same woman picked up the call. The Police told her about the suitcase found in front of the petrol pump. The woman till then had not realised that her black suitcase was missing and only after the call it dawned on her that she had forgotten the suitcase on the road that night. 

The woman, who identified herself as Nafisa from Bengaluru, had given her daughter in marriage to a family at Kumboor near Suntikoppa and the mother and daughter had come from Bengaluru to attend a relative’s wedding in Kushalnagar. Though they wanted to come to the Police Station at midnight, the Police refused as there were procedures to be completed. They were asked to come the next morning. Accordingly, they came to the Police Station, checked the box and found all the ornaments and other valuables intact.

Picture shows petrol pump staff H.V. Somashekar receiving the cash reward from Dy. SP Shailendra as Inspectors Mahesh and Traffic SI Chandrashekhar look on.

The mother and daughter profusely thanked the petrol pump employee Somashekar for returning the suitcase with jewels and also thanked the Police.

Somashekar told the Police that he believed in hard work and was a God-fearing man without having a desire to grab somebody else’s cash and gold. The mother-daughter duo and the Police gave Somashekar a cash award for his honesty.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / November 06th, 2021

People celebrate festival of lights in Kodagu

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All, Travel, Tourism & Homestays (wef. Oct 03rd, 2021)
The Government Lower Primary School in Mulluru celebrates an eco-friendly Deepavali. DH Photo

Amid the rising prices, people in the district celebrated Deepavali, the festival of lights.

Generally, the Northern part of Kodagu celebrates the festival in a grand way. In Southern Kodagu, Deepavali is celebrated in selected areas.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, people were seen purchasing various items such as earthen lamps and flowers. However, flowers cost dearer to the people.

There was a great demand for chrysanthemum and marigold flowers, at Chowki, General Thimayya Circle and at Mahadevpet Road.

Veterans say that the festival of lights coincides with the harvesting season of monsoon crops. However, the festive spirit has been dampened by rain this time.

Less demand for flowers

Owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, people did not celebrate the festival in a grand manner, in Somwarpet.

The religious rituals were observed in a simple manner. The farming fraternity was worried due to the loss of crops owing to continuous rainfall. Few people were seen in the shops.

Kamala, a flower vendor, said that she had sourced the flowers from Konanuru for sale. But, there was not much demand for the flowers.

Ashok, another flower vendor, said that he is likely to suffer losses as the chrysanthemum and marigold cannot be preserved for more than a day and will perish.

There was no business on the day of ‘Trayodashi’, he said.

Eco-friendly Deepavali

Children from Government Lower Primary School in Mulluru village observed an eco-friendly Deepavali, under the guidance of teacher C S Satish.

The students also coined the slogan ‘Pataki Tyajisona, Pustaka Kollona’ (let us shun firecrackers and buy books), on the occasion.

C S Satish said that students can utilise the money planned to buy fireworks for purchasing books and reading them. They can also circulate the books among themselves.

The smoke from the fireworks causes trouble for small children, heart patients and animals, he added.

Students also lit earthen lamps on the occasion.

Green firecrackers

Environment officers and the Pollution Control Board have requested people to burst fewer firecrackers to avoid pollution.

Bursting firecrackers is banned between 10 pm and 6 am. Only green firecrackers which emit less than 125 decibels can be used as per the orders issued by the Supreme Court, said environment officer G R Ganeshan.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DHNS, Madikeri / November 03rd, 2021