BandiHabba of Shirwad Karwar

#Bandihabba #Kalas
Pic shared by #SantoshKhiraNaik

In the month of May, in Karwar, Ankola, Kumta, Honnavar and Bhatkal taluks in Uttara Kannada it is the season for "Bandi Habba," a folk festival.

Basically, it is a festival for farmers to evoke the blessings of village deities before sowing. It is also celebrated in honour of those killed in wars and "#mahasatis" who sacrificed their lives to uphold the village tradition. It is called "Bandi Habba" because in ancient days the deities were placed on a bandi (a cart with four wheels) and taken in a procession.

The presiding deity of the festival is the gram devata, Amma, also known as Shanta Durga, Bhoomitai and Kanchika Parameshwari. The festival is celebrated for eight to 12 days.

During the festival, a small water pot (`#kalasha') is kept on a stone platform in the temple. The `kalasha' is decorated with flowers and ornaments and the mask of the deity is placed at the centre of the platform. Every day during the festival, gunaga, the head priest, carries the `kalasha' on his head and goes in a procession. At night, the `kalasha' is placed on a platform called Adukatte and worshiped. Later, the `kalasha' is taken to "uyyale chappara," a swing. The gunaga conducts the traditional rituals there.

The festival brings people of different communities together. The festival can be a tourist attraction and provide opportunities to study the folk art, culture and tradition of the region.

Text Source: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/05/24/stories/2005052409090300.htm

Gokarna Mahabaleshwara Chaitra Bahulla Amavasya Kiru Rathotsava - Mahapooja

Letter by President Akhila Kshatriya Komarpanth Samaj Karwar....

Dear All,

You will all agree that the Kshatriya Komarpanth Samaj had a grand history of administering and ruling the territory to the extent from Gomantaka(Goa) to Honnavara, and from Sonda to Sringeri, which our ancestors have done since the time of our Guru Komaar, which is estimated to be more than 700 years.

In this region, each and every temple and Matha  was connected to our Samaj in one way or the other, and our Samaj was given the privilege and honour in many of these temples and Mathas.

We already know about our connection with Sringeri Peetha, and the revered Jagadguru of Sringeri. 

Some had a very rough idea, but many of our Kshatriya Komarpanth Samaj were unaware of the exact connection of our Samaj with the Gokarna Mahabaleshwara Temple.

In regards to Gokarna, we feel happy to announce that we have been able to collect an important piece of information in the form of a document, which is a Bond registered and executed on 17th November 1935, in which it was decided by the then President and  other prominent elder members of the Akhila Kshatriya Komarpanth Samaj, Karwar, with the Administrators of Gokarna Mahabaleshwara Temple, to have an annual Rathotsava Seva and Mahapooja, on the day of Chaitra Bahulla Amavasyaa, for the general well being of the Kshatriya Komarpanth Samaj members. This aspect was forgotten since many years, and was not in practice.

We have brought this document/Bond to the kind attention of the present administrator of Gokarna Temple, being Sri Ramachandrapura Matha Peethadhipati Sri Sri Raghaveshwara Bharati Maha Swami, who has duly considered this Sankalpa made by the then elders of the Kshatriya Komarpanth Samaj, and has gladly and graciously accepted the same, ordering the priests at Gokarna Mahabaleshwara Temple to conduct the Rathotsava  on the day of Chaitra Bahulla Amavasyaa, which falls on this 26th day of April 2017 (Wednesday).

We are all requested and expected by Swamiji to participate in this important event of Rathotsava and the evening MahaPooja at Gokarna, which is a privilege and honour granted to us by our elders, and the Administrators of Sri Gokarna Kshetra, and take part in the Anugraha, Aashirwada and Prasada of Sri Gokarna Mahabaleshwara.

Therefore, this is to request you as the President of the Kshatriya Komarpanth Samaj of your region, to attend this event, on this 26th April 2017 (Wednesday) at 4-00PM at Kekkaru Matha, near Kotiteertha of Sri Kshetra Gokarna, alongwith all other members of the Kshatriya Komarpanth Samaj.

Please Oblige.

Warm Regards,

Yours Sincerely,

Kshatriya Komarpanth Samaj

For Details Visit: http://www.kshatriyakomarpanth.com

“Komarpanths’ display of their Secular Kshatriya nature during the Statue Unveiling Event of Henja Naik” - news report

“Komarpanths’ display of their Secular Kshatriya nature during the Statue Unveiling Event of Henja Naik”

The unveiling/installation ceremony of the Statue of Veera Henja Naik at his Samadhi (tomb) near Govt. Boys Model School at Kodibag of Karwar was an event that reflected Patriotism and Secularism, proving that Komarpanths are the real patriotic Kshatriyas, with Nation First in their hearts.

Swami Bhaveshananda-ji of Ramakrishna Mission, Karwar, noted in his Inaugural address that the event was “Society/community building/integrating event”.

Naval Commander Vinaybhushan Naik gave a call to all Karwar youth to follow the footsteps of Veera Henja Naik, and join the Defence Forces to serve the Nation.

The Event was attended by prominent Karwarians, such as Adv Nagaraj Nayak, Maqbool Shaikh, Nazeer Shaikh, P. M. Tandel, Adv Kishore Desai, Ramesh Gowda, man of whom were felicitated on the occasion.

Komarpanth members from Dandeli, Ravi P. Naik, Gajendra Naik, Smt. Anu Kalas, Shankar Majalikar, Prakash Naik, Mohan Shiva Naik, Prabhakar Malsekar, and many more, were present. Shivanand Kalas dressed as Mahatma Gandhi and Vinod Naik as Veera Henja Naik himself were the centre of attention in the event.

Translation  of Karavali Munjavu News dated 19-2-2013

Veera Henja Naik Statue Procession in Karwar on 17-2-2013

Excerpts of the news of the Komarpanth Community Procession dated 17th February 2013

from Karavali Munjavu, Karwar's local Kannada Daily, dated 18th February 2013.

The Procession started from the Flower Chowk of Karwar (Main Rickshaw-stand) and ended at the Samadhi of Veera Henje Naik at Kodibag, Karwar, attended by numerous Samaj members and citizens of Karwar.

 First from the right of the Photograph is Sri. Maruti R Naik of Kadwad

"Kshatriya Komarpath members/people have been known for their valour, and have been active in protecting their Land, for which Veera Henja Naik is the best proof", said Naval Commander Vinaybhushan Naik, who presided as the Chief Guest of the Statue Installation Ceremony. "One soldier should be born in every home of Karnataka, and each house should send a son to join the defence forces of the country", was the call given by Cmdr Vinaybhushan Naik.

Swami Bhaveshananda of Ramakrishna Math, Karwar, said Karwar was the land of Blessed people, and opined that everyone should stand against injustice and corruption in the society.

Sri. Nanda Achari, the sculptor and Ex-servicemen of the community were honoured on the occassion.

Source - Karavali Munjavu News

Play/Drama on Veera Henja Naik

A press conference was held to announce the unveiling of the Play/Drama of Veera Henja Naik, at the Samaj Hall, Karwar.

Unveiling of Veer Henja Naik's Statue - In the News

The local Kannada Daily - Karavali Munjavu, published from Karwar carried the news of the Chief Minister unveiling the Statues of Veera Henja Naik and Chattrapati Shivaji, at Karwar.