Villagers, including children, your and adults of Manchanabale in Chikkaballapur taluk celebrated the multi-god festival of Beereshwara, Anedevaru, Chowdeshwari and Siddedevaru by witnessing a traditional ceremony of breaking of coconuts over their heads of Veerakumars on Friday.
Breaking coconuts over the head is the chief attraction of the festival. Thousands had arrived from villages of Chikkaballapur and Kolar districts besides other taluks to witness this event. They become emotional as they watched the ceremony. The Veerakumar, clad in saffron dhothies, were ready for the ceremony since morning. They dipped into a pond holding swords and performed pooja to the water and the various gods. They then sat in a circle on a ground where coconuts were broken over their heads one after another. Over 10 coconuts were broken over the head of one of the Veerakumars.
“Breaking coconuts is a special attraction of this festival, which comes once in seven years. There is a belief that breaking coconuts over the heads and taking the broken coconut to the house bring prosperity. There is a scramble among the people to get the broken coconut. Veerakumars do not get hurt much on their heads. Soon after a coconut is broken over their heads turmeric powder is sprinkled over their heads. We have been following this practice since ages”, says Beerappa, leader of Beereshwara, Anedevaru, Chowdeshwari and Siddedeva Seva Mandali.
In the inaugural session in the afternoon union ministers Veerappa Moily and K H Muniyappa and legislator K P Bachegowda participated.
Various groups joined in the festivities including Beereshwara Pujari group, Beereshwara Hosapete Gowda group, Tailagere and Hosahalli Gowda group, Nelavagalu Gowda group, Bhandara group, Dooparthi group, Firewood collectors group, Veerakumars group, Anedevaru tribal group, Vakkalu Anedevaru tribal group, Kammasandra group, Chowdeshwari Devi Vakkalu group and other groups.