The religious festival regionally called ‘Thuthedhara’ or ‘Agni Kheli’ takes place in a town about at distance of 20 km from Mangalore in Karnataka state. The temple hosts the deity Sri Durga Parameshwari and is situated around banks of sacred river Nandini.
The religious festival regionally called ‘Thuthedhara’ or ‘Agni Kheli’ takes place in a town about at distance of 20 km from Mangalore in Karnataka state. The temple hosts the deity Sri Durga Parameshwari and is situated around banks of sacred river Nandini.
The pious festival is also known as ‘Durga Namaskara’ in its native state. What particular draws our attention to it is its literal game of flinging fire balls. The flaming red hot balls are nothing else but coconuts and can only be thrown five times by each person. This goes on for about fifteen to twenty minutes.
The festival boasts a crowded atmosphere of people coming from all parts of Karnataka especially the participants of the villages Kalathur and Attur. The Kateel or Kateelu temple is renowned for its astounding festivity.
The very first thing all worshippers do is to decorate the carving of Durga and through banks of river Nandini. The brief pilgrimage arrives at an open ground which is adorned in bright lighting. Shortly after the hurling of fireballs the religious riot begins its puja or aarti of goddess Durga.
The meaning of ‘Kateel’ is divided into two different words which are kal and ila. Kal stands for the meaning centre while ila means place or site. The native people believe that this keeps Mata Durga amused and she blesses her worshippers and devotees with devoid of any unpleasantness.
The Kateelu festival continues for eight days and worshippers of both villages fast for eight days. The flinging of fireballs is only settled for five times and the intentional action is
discerned by other temple authority figures. The traditional ritual has been going on for years and people still persist their beliefs in it.
India hosts a diverse culture with deep rooted traditions. Every part of India hosts a completely different tradition than the other and this is what keeps our unity in front. Carrying masses with no personal disdain on religious beliefs is strong ground for Indian harmony.
The pious festival is also known as ‘Durga Namaskara’ in its native state. What particular draws our attention to it is its literal game of flinging fire balls. The flaming red hot balls are nothing else but coconuts and can only be thrown five times by each person. This goes on for about fifteen to twenty minutes.
Image source: a still of devotees tossing fire balls made of coconuts in belief that goddess Durga will take care of their financial, physical troubles
The festival boasts a crowded atmosphere of people coming from all parts of Karnataka especially the participants of the villages Kalathur and Attur. The Kateel or Kateelu temple is renowned for its astounding festivity.
The very first thing all worshippers do is to decorate the carving of Durga and through banks of river Nandini. The brief pilgrimage arrives at an open ground which is adorned in bright lighting. Shortly after the hurling of fireballs the religious riot begins its puja or aarti of goddess Durga.
The meaning of ‘Kateel’ is divided into two different words which are kal and ila. Kal stands for the meaning centre while ila means place or site. The native people believe that this keeps Mata Durga amused and she blesses her worshippers and devotees with devoid of any unpleasantness.
The Kateelu festival continues for eight days and worshippers of both villages fast for eight days. The flinging of fireballs is only settled for five times and the intentional action
India hosts a diverse culture with deep rooted traditions. Every part of India hosts a completely different tradition than the other and this is what keeps our unity in front. Carrying masses with no personal disdain on religious beliefs is strong ground for Indian harmony.
Published By : Akshita Katoch
Edited By : Khushi Thakur
