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Gullavva ಗುಳ್ಳವ್ವ

Northern part of  karnataka celebrates each and every Amavssya and Hunnume with different concept ,faith and  its own unique style.May be little bit different in celebration in different places but whole idea is same. Believe me these celebrations are awesome ! . Big salute to the village women’s ! . They have to manage each and every festival apart from their daily work. These festivals are unique may be in a way of celebration or way of preparing different kind of food items. But one thing is loud and clear that each an every  Amavassya there will be Holige and Cuttin Sambar for sure.

Amavssya celebrated in the name of God called "Gullavan Amavassya". Gullavva is a God of prosperity. She brings lots of joys, celebration in each and every home/hut in the village. This Amavassya mainly  celebrated by children’s  under the guidance of elders. Childrens   involve more  with this event than any other family members . As I grown up I started to question myself to know what exactly this festival all about.  who was  Gullava ? Is it mythological story? . why do we celebrate this festival yearly? . I guess something might have happened in the past and that’s how it’s became part of folklore. I grown up by questioning about our day today social events . I asked My mother  about  the worship  and she told me that Gullava is a God and she will bring rain and prosperity to the mother earth and that’s why villagers will celebrate the festival in her name during the beginning of monsoon season.

How festival is celebrated?

All together there are five continuous weeks  dedicated to Gullavva.  It’s a strange but it’s a fact . This shows importance of the God Gullavva in rural life.

During or before Amavassya  every one in village will buy the Gullavva idol made from black soil .  Kumbara from same village or next village make the idols and sell them early in the morning. 

Gullavva Idol is not exactly an idol . It’s  a temple like structure with small shrine on the top. Once idol comes from Kumbara hand to women’s hand then real celebration starts . 

As a newly made  idol from  mud  is always  some extent soft and wet. Women’s collect some food grains mainly Jola  and wheat to decorate them around the idol . This is not enough. To make it more colourful Gulaganji seeds are decorated in the same fashion.

On Friday night girls make their own gang and start visiting neighbouring  houses with deepa (arathi) in their hand. Group sings folk songs and perform the arathi to Gullavva. I think this is one of the lovely and fantastic moment in their childhood to cherish it entire life.

On Saturday once children comes from school their demand is very simple. They need some cookies to carry to their favourite picnic spot. Well it’s a freedom given to them to go out with friends and have some fun . 

It’s kind of trekking or outing in the name Gullavva.

Yesterday events(Holi Habba)

Yesterday was kammannana habba in NK usually called as HoliHabba.This is one of the big festival for men as womens wount participate much in this celebration.In villages childerns,youngsters and elders also participate in this by collecting woods,cow chips etc.They will keep them in a common place in a well manner so that they can fire it during Holi Hummnume.Village people will worship him.Thalavararu usually do the poja and all and we can call them as preist.
Next day of Holi Hummume is the Dulwadi (usually my mom used to say this) or Bannada Habba or Holi.In village all people will make use of the charcole (kenda in kannda)as the fuel for cooking.I have written it today because of procrastination.

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This is my first blog dedicated to my UttaraKarnataka Land and Culture.