Veera Rani Abbakka Utsav to be held in Delhi between March 11-18

Food and Public Distribution Minister U T Khader said that a Veera Rani Abbakka Utsava will be held, in Delhi, from March 11 to 18.    

Speaking to reporters in Mangaluru on Sunday, he said that seminars on Veera Rani Abbakka would be held in Kannada, Tulu, Hindi, English, Malayali, Tamil and Telegu will be held on the occasion.  

He added that the state government had already set aside  Rs 12 lakh for the  fest and more would be granted if necessary.  

Abbakka Rani or Abbakka Mahadevi was the queen of Tulunadu who fought the Portuguese in the latter half of the 16th century.

She belonged to the Chowta dynasty that ruled over the area from the temple town of Moodabidri. The port town of Ullal served as their subsidiary capital.

Abbakka's memory is much cherished in her home town of Ullal. The "Veera Rani Abbakka Utsava" is an annual celebration held in her memory. The Veera Rani Abbakka Prashasti(award) is awarded to distinguished women on the occasion.