In keeping with tradition, an important annual prayer ceremony is conducted after the end of the Kakkada month, at the sacred shrine of Paadi Shree Igguthappa temple, known as the “Chingyaar Pattaanda Namme” on Tuesday, August 26.
This event marks the resumption of festivals across all temples in Kodagu. As is well known, during the month of Kakkada, most temples have minimal poojas, and rituals like Tulabara Seve are not conducted. Similarly, important social activities like weddings, etc, do not take place.
On this day, members of the Paradanḍa family and similar families associated with the Paadi shrine, make offerings known as “Paal Bayyaad”. At the appointed time, they gather on the western side of the temple near the Botekara Aiyappa platform, dressed in traditional white kupya and offer “Pacchi Pariyo“— a simple form of silent prayer and humble offering. It is reliably learnt that the offering to Botekara Aiyappa is a symbolic step seeking blessings to commence festivities – the first Desha Namme being Keilpodh, where, in the days gone by, the hunting season and initiation of youngsters to hunting took place.
Post this ceremony, the Paadi shrine and all temples across Kodagu commence their well established festivities. Despite being Tuesday, Tulabara Seve resumes.
In the normal course, just about 15-20 individuals attend this simple function. In the days gone by, there was much greater participation by Kodava devotees. The Devathakkas are hoping that with this advance announcement larger numbers attend this simple yet auspicious ceremony at the Paadi Igguthappa temple.
There a is separate detailed voice recording by a devotee, added below:
(With inputs from Thakkas at Paadi Shree Igguthappa Temple)
This article strengthens the strong tribal nature of kodavas and also shows how every temple in kodagu plans the poojas based on our main vocation, agriculture. Every pooja and ritual of Kodavas is connected and linked to our main profession agriculture and also lucidly explains the importance Kodavas accord to respect nature. Congrats to CLN for recording this unique event and sharing for posterity which many present generation kodavas may not be aware of. Personally I learnt a lot reading this and also hearing the beautiful audio post.
This write up beautifully captures the nuances of Kodava traditions, with a thoughtful explanation of the significance of the “Chingyaar Pattanda Namme” at Paadi Shree Igguthappa temple.
It is heartening to see how rituals like “Paachi Pariyo” and offerings to Botekaara Aiyappa still hold cultural importance, marking the end of the Kakkada month and the resumption of festivities of Kodagu.
Such practices remind us of our roots and the need to preserve these simple yet profound ceremonies for future generations. Thank you for sharing this piece of heritage and devotion.
The picture of the sculpture on the message is from the Temple’s perimeter wall, which is fascinating. There are close to thirty of them depicting the Kodavas customs, festival celebrations and way of life. These are so relevant as a documentation for posterity.
The Head Priest of the temple Kusha Bhat quite rightly points out that the relevance of the temple will get enhanced only if Kodavas come to the temple (preferably in their traditional attire)! This temple belongs to the people of Kodagu – especially Kodavas. This is the opportune moment to take the MLAs help and restore the administration in the hands of the Bhaktha Sangha. The present team headed by Paradanda Subramani Kaveriappa are doing a stellar job with devotion and integrity, to restore the temple operations in a dedicated manner.
I remember the elders stating that in the days gone by, the offerings made at the temple (especially rice for Tulebara) was distributed to other smaller temples for feeding the devotees and the less fortunate. This chain has been broken and instead the offerings find it way embarrassingly back to the shops at Kakkabe in a blink. Is the Government collecting this money and spending it for the improvement of the temple precincts – including other surrounding temples? Pannangala Thamme, the sister of the main deity could do with careful renovations and upkeep.
On that subject, modifications to the temple precincts should take place only after proper consultation with proper temple architects or for that matter ASI. The haphazard structures that have come up is far from convincing. Temples in Kodagu have to be “open” and exposed to Nature. Old pictures of Tale Kaveri will bear testimony to the inappropriate changes that have taken place with mindless concrete construction.
A beautifully written piece capturing the spirit of the Chingyaar Pattaanda Namme at Paadi Igguthappa temple. As someone from Kodagu, I truly appreciate the effort to remind us of the deeper meanings behind these rituals. Let’s all do our bit to keep this tradition alive by attending and encouraging others to do the same.
The seasonal celebrations of the Kodava way of life is so beautifully interwoven into our existence. We must do everything to commit ourselves to grow paddy across Kodagu – it is Nature’s gift, and we can’t afford NOT to cultivate our precious paddy fields – which sustained our ancestors and made us what we are today. Everything cannot be evaluated in mere commercial terms – tradition and culture is priceless.
It is extremely important to continue these traditions, educate our youngsters and nurture the understanding for future generations. The Devathakkas are making a good attempt to restore our traditions.
The wisdom associated with these customs has so much meaning if it is explained. The inclusiveness and mutual respect amongst even our Gods needs to be emulated in our daily lives.