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Monday, November 22, 2010
Hethai Habba dates
| Hethai Habba Dates - 2010 | ||||||
| Date | Hatti | |||||
| 20-Dec | Hallikarinai | Kerbetta | ||||
| 22-Dec | Beragani | Hebbunadu | Jagathala | Karakorai | ||
| 23-Dec | Chinna Coonoor | |||||
| 24-Dec | Gathuguli | |||||
| 25-Dec | Beragani Bettu | |||||
| 26-Dec | Onathalae | Jagathala | Beragani | Kookal | Hebbanadu | Banthumai |
| 27-Dec | Pethala | Jagathala | Thavanai | |||
| 3-Jan | Nundhala | Hebbunadu | ||||
| 10-Jan | Ketti | |||||
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Celebrating Karthigai Deepam
Celebrating Karthigai Deepam
Karthigai Deepam festival, the festival of lamps, is one of the oldest of Tamil festival, ushering in prosperity and joy. Celebrated in the month of 'Karthigai' (mostly November) this festival is celebrated when the full moon is in conjunction with the constellation Karthigai. Crackers are bursted and lamps are lit in temples and houses to celebrate this wonderful day. Celebrated for three days you can find references to the festival in the book of poems "Ahananuru", which dates back to the Sangam Age (200 B.C. to 300 A.D.) Karthigai Deepam is celebrated as an extension of Diwali. It is a luminous sight to see little lamp arrayed in and around the house. It is a beautiful sight in the villages, where houses are lined with lamps glowing. The observance of this wonderful festival is believed to bring in fresh hope, peace, prosperity and happiness in one's life. The festivities go on for 3 days and celebrated with happiness and joy throughout Tamilnadu. Karthigai Deepam is one of the oldest festivals celebrated in the state perhaps even before people began celebrating Navratri and Deepavali.
Legend of Karthiigai Deepam
Legend of Siva (Arunachaleshwara) in Thiruvannamalai, has a special significance with regards to Karthigai Deepam-the festival of lamps. Brahma and Vishnu entered into an argument, as to who was the powerful of them. Lord Siva arose as a huge column of fire, of immeasurable height and asked them to find out the exact location of his head and his feet. Meanwhile, he transformed himself into a huge pillar of fire. Brahma assumed the form of a swan and moved upwards. Vishnu transformed himself into a boar and started digging deep into the earth. After searching for years, they were not able to find the ends of the pillar. Accepting defeat, they prayed to Lord Siva that the blazing pillar should establish itself as a Hill (Thiruvannamalai), and that Lord Siva should take the form of a Lingam on the east of the Hill. They entreated that as a remembrance of the Greatness of Lord Siva, a Jyothi should appear every year on the top of the Hill during the time of Karthigai Deepam. That is how this festival came to be known as Annamalai Deepam. Thiruvannamalai, near Chennai is and important temple of the festival. A special torch is lighted on the zenith of the Hill and it is believed that Lord Siva's Jyothi will be visible on this day.
Karthigai Deepam festival, the festival of lamps, is one of the oldest of Tamil festival, ushering in prosperity and joy. Celebrated in the month of 'Karthigai' (mostly November) this festival is celebrated when the full moon is in conjunction with the constellation Karthigai. Crackers are bursted and lamps are lit in temples and houses to celebrate this wonderful day. Celebrated for three days you can find references to the festival in the book of poems "Ahananuru", which dates back to the Sangam Age (200 B.C. to 300 A.D.) Karthigai Deepam is celebrated as an extension of Diwali. It is a luminous sight to see little lamp arrayed in and around the house. It is a beautiful sight in the villages, where houses are lined with lamps glowing. The observance of this wonderful festival is believed to bring in fresh hope, peace, prosperity and happiness in one's life. The festivities go on for 3 days and celebrated with happiness and joy throughout Tamilnadu. Karthigai Deepam is one of the oldest festivals celebrated in the state perhaps even before people began celebrating Navratri and Deepavali.
Legend of Karthiigai Deepam
Legend of Siva (Arunachaleshwara) in Thiruvannamalai, has a special significance with regards to Karthigai Deepam-the festival of lamps. Brahma and Vishnu entered into an argument, as to who was the powerful of them. Lord Siva arose as a huge column of fire, of immeasurable height and asked them to find out the exact location of his head and his feet. Meanwhile, he transformed himself into a huge pillar of fire. Brahma assumed the form of a swan and moved upwards. Vishnu transformed himself into a boar and started digging deep into the earth. After searching for years, they were not able to find the ends of the pillar. Accepting defeat, they prayed to Lord Siva that the blazing pillar should establish itself as a Hill (Thiruvannamalai), and that Lord Siva should take the form of a Lingam on the east of the Hill. They entreated that as a remembrance of the Greatness of Lord Siva, a Jyothi should appear every year on the top of the Hill during the time of Karthigai Deepam. That is how this festival came to be known as Annamalai Deepam. Thiruvannamalai, near Chennai is and important temple of the festival. A special torch is lighted on the zenith of the Hill and it is believed that Lord Siva's Jyothi will be visible on this day.
The birth of Lord Murugan also holds special significance to the festival of lamps. It was on this day that Lord Muruga who incarnated as six infants, (out from six sparks from the third eye of Lord Siva, in Saravana Poigai (a holy tank) was conjoined into one, with the embrace of Goddess Parvati.
Significance of celebrating
The significance of celebrating Karthigai Deepam festival, is symbolized in the functioning of a lamp. The oil used to light the lamp, symbolizes the innate tendencies in one, which, is responsible for the ego to thrive. The wick is the ego. The flame of the lamp symbolizes, spiritual knowledge, which empties the oil, as it also burns the wick, the ego (body, mind complex). With the draining of the innate tendencies and the burning of the wick, one attains the spiritual goal, the realization of the ultimate truth. The little flames of different lamps symbolize the essence of universal oneness.
Significance of celebrating
The significance of celebrating Karthigai Deepam festival, is symbolized in the functioning of a lamp. The oil used to light the lamp, symbolizes the innate tendencies in one, which, is responsible for the ego to thrive. The wick is the ego. The flame of the lamp symbolizes, spiritual knowledge, which empties the oil, as it also burns the wick, the ego (body, mind complex). With the draining of the innate tendencies and the burning of the wick, one attains the spiritual goal, the realization of the ultimate truth. The little flames of different lamps symbolize the essence of universal oneness.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Nilgiris (Loksabha) representatives since 1957
The Nilgiris constituency has a stonghold of the congress party for many years. Though a Badaga populated constituency, of late its been represented by members from outside the Badaga community.
For a period of 12 years starting 2009 badagas cannot contest in the elections from the Nilgiris constituency as it has been declared by the Election commission as a SC (Scheduled Cast) constituency and only SC candidates can contest. Badagas belong to the BC (Backward Class).
Badaga | Year | Member of Parliament | Party |
Yes | 1957-62 | ||
Yes | 1962-67 | ||
Yes | 1967-71 | ||
Yes | 1971-77 | ||
No | 1977-80 | ||
No | 1980-84 | ||
No | 1984-89 | ||
No | 1989-91 | ||
No | 1991-96 | ||
No | 1996-98 | ||
Yes | 1998-99 | Master Mathan | |
Yes | 1999-04 | ||
No | 2004-2009 | ||
No | 2009- |
Badaga months
The Badaga calendar month is not in existence in most part of the Nilgiris. Not many people know this as well. The first month starts normally by the 2nd or 3rd week of the English calendar month, January. Most of the months closely resemble the Tamil months such as Adi, Aani, Avai, Thai.
1st month - Koodalu
2nd month - Aalani
3rd month - Nallani
4th month - Aani
5th month - Aadira
6th month - Adi
7th month - Avani
8th month - Perataadi
9th month - Dhoda devige
10th month - Kiru devige
11th month - Thai
12th month - Hemmathi
1st month - Koodalu
2nd month - Aalani
3rd month - Nallani
4th month - Aani
5th month - Aadira
6th month - Adi
7th month - Avani
8th month - Perataadi
9th month - Dhoda devige
10th month - Kiru devige
11th month - Thai
12th month - Hemmathi
Hethai habba
Hethai habba falls on the 1st Monday or Sovara (as in Badaga language - the day considered to be the most sacred among the Badagas ), after the full moon or Hunnaway jina (as in Badaga). This year (2010) it falls in the 3rd week of December. The dates for the same will be updated soon.
Male members from various hattis (Villages) go to the hehai gudi (hethai amman temple ) by foot to Pethala or Beragani. Both these places are considered to be the sacred or house of God Hethai. Men who go on this holy walk are dressed in Mundu, Badaguru Seelai (shawl), Mandrae (Head cover) along with the holy dhadi (stick). There are other places too where hethai habba is celebrated like Jagathala, Karakorai, Kookal, Irupugal, Ketti, Nanjanadu.
These men walk those various villages to reach their destination. Other individual's from various hattis from around the district pay money (25 paise) as a ritual to the temple at their hatti. This is traditionally called Hana katodhu (Paying money). There is a suthungal (a stone ) at every hatti where this is done on any one day during the hethai amman festival. This kannikae (offering) is then wrapped up in white cloth and taken to the various hethai gudi (to the hethai gudi to which the hatti is attached).
These men attend vairous funtions and ceremonies along their way. Every village gives a warm welcome to those who take the holy walk to the hethai gudi. As they proceed many men, women and children stand alongside to send them off. They also spread Bellae Mundu (white sheet) on the path and ada buthu (prostrate) to get their blessings. During this entire period of welcoming and send off the badaga athikodu - ye haw hao is uttered loudly by all.
During hethai habba anna thanam (Food) will be served to all of them who attend the festival. Lakhs of badagas will throng these villages during the festival period. All men and women are dressed in white. A sea of white can be witnessed in & around the Kotagiri and Coonoor towns during this period. On the Pethala hethai habba Hethai amman is show to all. This happens only once during the entire year. Otherwise, predominantly the hethai kodae (umberalla) is taken along during these festivities. Sinnatha kodae (silver umberalla) is popularly given as kanikae by some devotees, some offer rice grain, vegetables etc for the temple.
Every Badaga must attend these festivities without fail during the month of December and get Hethai's blessing.
May the all powerful Hethai Amma bless one and all.
Male members from various hattis (Villages) go to the hehai gudi (hethai amman temple ) by foot to Pethala or Beragani. Both these places are considered to be the sacred or house of God Hethai. Men who go on this holy walk are dressed in Mundu, Badaguru Seelai (shawl), Mandrae (Head cover) along with the holy dhadi (stick). There are other places too where hethai habba is celebrated like Jagathala, Karakorai, Kookal, Irupugal, Ketti, Nanjanadu.
These men walk those various villages to reach their destination. Other individual's from various hattis from around the district pay money (25 paise) as a ritual to the temple at their hatti. This is traditionally called Hana katodhu (Paying money). There is a suthungal (a stone ) at every hatti where this is done on any one day during the hethai amman festival. This kannikae (offering) is then wrapped up in white cloth and taken to the various hethai gudi (to the hethai gudi to which the hatti is attached).
These men attend vairous funtions and ceremonies along their way. Every village gives a warm welcome to those who take the holy walk to the hethai gudi. As they proceed many men, women and children stand alongside to send them off. They also spread Bellae Mundu (white sheet) on the path and ada buthu (prostrate) to get their blessings. During this entire period of welcoming and send off the badaga athikodu - ye haw hao is uttered loudly by all.
During hethai habba anna thanam (Food) will be served to all of them who attend the festival. Lakhs of badagas will throng these villages during the festival period. All men and women are dressed in white. A sea of white can be witnessed in & around the Kotagiri and Coonoor towns during this period. On the Pethala hethai habba Hethai amman is show to all. This happens only once during the entire year. Otherwise, predominantly the hethai kodae (umberalla) is taken along during these festivities. Sinnatha kodae (silver umberalla) is popularly given as kanikae by some devotees, some offer rice grain, vegetables etc for the temple.
Every Badaga must attend these festivities without fail during the month of December and get Hethai's blessing.
May the all powerful Hethai Amma bless one and all.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Badaga Orign
Badagas form majority of the Nilgiris population spreading accross the district. There is a claim that badagas origin is from Mysore and that Badagas had migrated from Mysore thousands of years ago. One strong support to this claim is the similarity of the Badaga language with that of the Kannada language. There is also this other side of the story that the Badagas belong to the Nilgiris and that purely from the fact that there exists no script and that if they had migrated there could have been a script like Kannada. However, there is no conclusive evidence on these claims and the origin of Badagas continues to be a mystery.
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