Heritage and light: Deepavali rituals of the Halakki Vokkaligas

Abstract

The Halakki Vokkaligas, an indigenous community of the Uttara Kannada region, blend their agrarian lifestyle with their cultural practices, creating a celebration of both material and spiritual prosperity. Deepavali, for them is not merely a festival of lights, but a time to honour family bonds, community values, and the blessings of nature. The rituals surrounding the festival are deeply rooted in the community’s ancestral customs, passed down through generations. Qualitative approaches like Knowledge Informants Interview, semi structured interview schedule, Focus Group discussion and Personal observation were used to collect the information regarding customs, traditions, rituals and festival celebrations during Deepavali. Participatory approaches like transect walks, oral histories and participatory photography were employed to explore the information. The Halakki Vokkaliga community, residing predominantly in Uttara Kannada, including Belambra village in Ankola, celebrates Deepavali (Diwali) with unique rituals reflecting their deep connection to nature, agriculture and cultural heritage. The festivities begin with cleansing homes and honoring Goddess Lakshmi during Lakshmi Pooja. Unique customs include the Hande Pooja, where a traditional bathtub is adorned with medicinal plants and filled with water infused with turmeric and gomutra, emphasizing spiritual and physical purification. Early morning oil baths with turmeric, donning new clothes, and stepping over a hidle kaayi at the entrance symbolize renewal and the triumph of positivity. On Balipadyami, Gopooja honors cattle through bathing, decoration, and playful community interactions like Dana Bicchuvudu. Culinary traditions, including Kotte Rotti and Akki Payasa, showcase sustainable practices and the use of natural resources. A unique tradition involves sons-in-law and married daughters returning to their maternal homes, being welcomed with Bagina offerings, and participating in the evening deepa noduvudu ritual, where the oil lamp is worshipped, prayers offered, and family bonds strengthened through shared meals and gratitude, encapsulating the spirit of togetherness and devotion. In an era of rapid modernization, these rituals provide a sense of continuity, nurturing both individual and collective well-being. They offer a moment for introspection, for connecting with loved ones and for reaffirming the values that define the Halakki Vokkaliga way of life.