Madikeri Dasara
Encyclopedia
This article describes the way Dasara festival is celebrated in the city of Madikeri in the India
n State of Karnataka
.
It has an history of over 100 years. Madikeri Dasara is a 10 day celebration, which is beautified by 4 Karagas and 10 Mantapas depicting killing of Asura
s [demons] by Suras [God/Goddess]. Preparation for Madikeri dasara starts before 3 months. Most of the money for this celebration is collected from the people of Kodagu
. Each of these 10 Mantapa committee has 50 to 100 members. A Mantapa comprises idols of height 8 to 15 feet, which is set up at the front of a lighting board. The cost of building a Mantapa will be Rs. 3 to 5 Lakh
s.
Madikeri Town. The King of Madikeri decided to start Mariamma festival. Hence from that time onwards Mariamma festival has been celebrated. The festival starts the day after Mahalaya Amavasye. Hence Dasara starts of with four Karagas.
It is the second most famous Dasara Festival in India after Mysore Dasara
.
On the first day of Navarathri, the priests of these four Temples carry the tools required to build karaga on their head and make their way to a Place called Pampina Kere. The members of the Temple Committee also join this puja at Pampina Kere. A team of Volaga (a type of Band in Kodagu
) will also accompany these Karagas. Volaga gives the people an indication that the Karaga is coming and also it gives a rhythm for the Karaga Dance. The priest who takes up the Karaga is dressed with Yellow coloured Kacche. Also the Priest's head is shaved. He holds a Knife in one hand and a Wooden stick (called as Bettha in Kannada) on the other. These Priests start build Karaga by using Flowers like Jasmin, Kanakambara, Sevantige etc. After building the Karaga, there will be a pooja for these four Karagas. The Temple Priests take the Karaga on their head after this pooja and head towards their Temples. Karaga dance is very nice to watch. The people of Madikeri give puja for all the Karagas. Till Aayudha Pooja
, these Karagas visit almost every home of Madikeri and take pujas.
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n State of Karnataka
Karnataka
Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
.
It has an history of over 100 years. Madikeri Dasara is a 10 day celebration, which is beautified by 4 Karagas and 10 Mantapas depicting killing of Asura
Asura
-In Hinduism:In Hinduism, the Asuras constitute a group of power-seeking deities, sometimes considered sinful and materialistic. The Daityas and Danavas were combinedly known as Asuras. The Asura were opposed to the Devas. Both groups are children of Kasyapa...
s [demons] by Suras [God/Goddess]. Preparation for Madikeri dasara starts before 3 months. Most of the money for this celebration is collected from the people of Kodagu
Kodagu
Kodagu , also known by its anglicised former name of Coorg, is an administrative district in Karnataka, India. It occupies an area of in the Western Ghats of southwestern Karnataka. As of 2001, the population was 548,561, 13.74% of which resided in the district's urban centres, making it the least...
. Each of these 10 Mantapa committee has 50 to 100 members. A Mantapa comprises idols of height 8 to 15 feet, which is set up at the front of a lighting board. The cost of building a Mantapa will be Rs. 3 to 5 Lakh
Lakh
A lakh is a unit in the Indian numbering system equal to one hundred thousand . It is widely used both in official and other contexts in Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and is often used in Indian English.-Usage:...
s.
History
Many years ago there was a disease in Madikeri which caused the people to suffer a lot. The disease spread all overMadikeri Town. The King of Madikeri decided to start Mariamma festival. Hence from that time onwards Mariamma festival has been celebrated. The festival starts the day after Mahalaya Amavasye. Hence Dasara starts of with four Karagas.
It is the second most famous Dasara Festival in India after Mysore Dasara
Mysore Dasara
Mysore Dasara is the Nadahabba of the state of Karnataka. It is also called Navaratri and is a 10-day festival with the last day being Vijayadashami, the most auspicious day of Dasara. Dasara usually falls in the month of September or October...
.
Karaga in Madikeri Dasara
There are 4 Mariamma Temples in the town: Dandina Mariamma, Kanchi Kamakshi, Kundurumotte Sri Chowti Mariamma and Kote Mariamma. Each of these Mariamma Temples has Karaga, which starts on the first day of Navaratri. These four Karagas represent the "Shakthi Devathas" of the town. All the Temples will be decorated by Lights and the whole Madikeri looks more beautiful on these 10 days.Kodagu
Kodagu , also known by its anglicised former name of Coorg, is an administrative district in Karnataka, India. It occupies an area of in the Western Ghats of southwestern Karnataka. As of 2001, the population was 548,561, 13.74% of which resided in the district's urban centres, making it the least...
) will also accompany these Karagas. Volaga gives the people an indication that the Karaga is coming and also it gives a rhythm for the Karaga Dance. The priest who takes up the Karaga is dressed with Yellow coloured Kacche. Also the Priest's head is shaved. He holds a Knife in one hand and a Wooden stick (called as Bettha in Kannada) on the other. These Priests start build Karaga by using Flowers like Jasmin, Kanakambara, Sevantige etc. After building the Karaga, there will be a pooja for these four Karagas. The Temple Priests take the Karaga on their head after this pooja and head towards their Temples. Karaga dance is very nice to watch. The people of Madikeri give puja for all the Karagas. Till Aayudha Pooja
Ayudha Puja
Ayudha Puja is an integral part of the Navratri festival , a Hindu festival which is traditionally celebrated in India. It is also called "Astra Puja", the synonym for Ayudha Puja. In simple terms, it means “Worship of Implements”...
, these Karagas visit almost every home of Madikeri and take pujas.
Cultural programs
The city Dasara Committee organises cultural programs all the 10 days. The first 7 days the programs will be there at Kauveri Kalaskhetra. Rest three days the programs are conducted at a Stage near Raja Seat. On the day of Vijayadashami, there will an orchestra from night 9 p.m. till morning 6 a.m. The program concludes with the price distribution cermoney for the top 3 Mantapas.