I was a rustic boy. My house was located 16 miles away from Madikeri, called Kolagadal village. It was the last house at the bottom of the hill . Beyond my house there was no human habitation. About 1½ miles west is a dense Jungle known as Eerolli Bana.
Even now it is believed that this place is the Abode of Gods. Entry into this forest is forbidden for human beings. At the extreme west of the jungle is the state of Kerala and on the other side lay South Canara district .
There are many stories about the miracles that have happened in that bana. Paka is a sub-village of Kolagadal. The holy Paka river takes birth in this unpenetrated sacred abode. Swarms of fish found in this river is a concrete proof of its undisturbed and pristine status.
There are folk tales and songs to explain the mystical importance of the river.
There is a particular spot in the river, below which there are no restrictions. Above that spot very strict rules are to be followed – such as not a single living being is to be killed, no one is allowed to cross the river with footwear; people of other religions are not allowed to cross the river. There are many other restrictions. The residents of Paka sub-village are vigilant round the clock to maintain the sanctity of the holy river, especially the protection of the swarms of fish at this location.
© Bacharanianda P Appanna
I’ve been to this temple – in later years called Vana Durga (renamed like most of our ancient places of worship); very serene atmosphere there. The river has a lot of fish called mara meen locally. This fish is also found in meenkolli below Kottabetta and in mulodlu falls. Even here the fish is protected by the village people….fish of the Gods!
Very interesting, eagerly waiting for the next part….