Coastal Diwali in local flavour

MANGALORE : Though the festival of lights Diwali is celebrated all over the country for different reasons, in Dakshina Kannada or Tulu Naadu it is to welcome King Balindra, who was driven to the nether world by Vamana, an avatar of Lord Vishnu.
Folklorist Chinnappa Gowda says, Diwali celebrations here have a unique local flavour and a cultural touch not seen elsewhere in the state or country.
Tuluvas regard Bali Chakravarthi as Tulu Rajyada odeya (King of Tuluvas) and on Diwali Tuluvas light their homes to welcome King Bali to Tulu Naadu again, Gowda notes.
He also says that Diwali regarded as Tulu Parba here is probably is the precursor for all festivities to commence after the June month. The celebrations end during the Hattanavadi or Pattanaje, which is the tenth day of Vrishabha Masa in June. Final celebration of the year will be performed during this period and on that day 'Yakshagana Mela' (folk play team) stops their wandering for playing mythological dramas until the beginning of next year, which is during Deepavali.
Another aspect is respect for live stock on the third day of the festivities here. Tulu folklorist Vaman Nandavar says Diwali is chiefly regarded as farmers’ festival and live stock is given its share of respect during the festivities. Their cows are decorated, offered arathis and are fed with sweets, rice and fruits.
The precursor to this celebration here has been 'Goodu Deepa’ competitions held at various part of the district a few days back, where colourful sky lanterns were at display, giving people an alternative to traditional stand alone diyas. Nandavar says, he is not sure whether 'goodu deepas’ are unique to this region, but they certainly bring out local flavour and make the festival more vibrant.