Yakshemane – Devadigas of Uttara Kannada (North Canara)

Our original understanding has been that the Devadiga Community is primarily
located in South Canara district – parts of Kasargodu, Udupi of Tulu vernacular
further extending to Kundapur as Kannada speaking Devadigas.
However, we now see beyond and understand that in Uttara Kannada (North
Canara), which geographically starts from Bhatkal upto Karwar, our community have
densely inhabited the regions of Bhatakal, Bengre, Murudeshwara, Honavara,
Haldipur & Kumta on the coastal belt and Siddapur, Sirsi, Mundagod, Haliyal and
Joida across the Ghat.
Last month Uttara Kannada Jille Devadiga Samaja Naukara Sangha (R) –
Murudeshwara, Bhatkal (North Canara District Devadiga Samaja Employee’s Sangha)
had invited Shri K. Chandrashekar, Gen. Secretary from Bangalore Sangha and me on
the occasion of Samavesha and Prathibha Puraskhara programme on 20-05-2012.
Our travel was also an initiative to know our community better and more towards
consolidation of Network. As rightly said by Shri. K. Chandrashekar during the
function “we should be a needle and sew to bring our people and community
nearer and together” .
Firstly, the nomenclature of Uttara Kannada Jille Devadiga Samaja Naukarara
Sangha (R) itself was surprising and we were curious to know their thinking behind it.
We the Devadigas belong to backward community and our inhabitants in Uttara
Kannada are of working class & most of them are below the poverty line. To bring all
the working classes under one umbrella needed a Organisational network which
would first of all think about them and work is initiated towards them. The effective
functioning can happen only when Sangha reaches the comfort level of the
community people in the region and win their Trust. The explanation given by Shri L
N Khottadamakhi and Shri Ganapathi Dandinamane, the Immediate Past Founder
President and Secretary respectively of the Sangha is justifiable as the people here
are literally economically, socially and education very backward in this region.
Yakshemane, Bengre, an hamlet with entire inhabitant only belonging to our
community live here. On visiting the hamlet, the first sight we see is a prominently
visible board reading Devadiga Samaja Shree Ganeshotsava Seva Samithi (existing
from last 26 year) on to the other side our ladies belonging to Stree Shakthi – a
scheme promoted by State Government were quietly discussing. Our host took us
further inside the village to a exciting spot called Yakshemane – A place of our
Divine. It is believed that the Sanctity has its own divine power, our community
people come here and offer prayers before any auspicious events and functions. A
neatly arranged Sculpture Naga Stambha is present there in the divine place –

Yakshemane. A sense of divine feeling can be felt as we reached the surroundings of
the Sanctity. The current committee offered prayers as there was Samavesha and
Prathibha puraskhara Organised on the same day. Mr K. Chandrashekar – Guest
from Bangalore Sangha also offered prayers for the well being of the community.
Later we also had chat with the local villagers.
Shree Durga Parameshwari Ammanavara Temple, Alvekodi – Sanabhavi was our
next destination where Mr. Manjunath Bhairumane took us. Ammanavara divinity
has bloomed every where that piligrims come from far places to have darshan and
blessings. Even we had good darshan and felt blessed.
It was said to us that the Goddess in the temple was first found by a Devadiga and
the temple was initially originated & set up by Devadigas centuries ago. Over the
years, economically strong community dominated over the administration.
We believe in peace, the Temple and Gods love is equal for all. Currently in the
changed scenario on effectively implementation of Constitution Post- Independence,
our people have also progressed economically and educationally and now are strong
enough to hold the Light of the temple. It is now appropriate for us to take the
responsibility lost by us many years ago. This demand and intention has to be
persuaded peacefully in this regard with the Temple Administration to make them
accept our share and responsibility in serving the Temple. The question might arise
within us “why now”. The answer is simple as that, we are better off than compared
to yesterday. In this changed circumstances the social justice must be prevailed in
the society.
Our Sangha and Community people has to support these causes. This is where, I
always say the need of:
Okkoota, to bring the community under one roof, one umbrella to understand &
discuss the prevailing issues concerning the community.
Okkoota is inevitable to understand our community socially and educationally in the
rural remote place like one in Uttara Kannada.
Okkoota to consolidate our resources and effective utilisation of the same.
Most of the other Communities have shown Co-operation & co-ordination in this
regard irrespective of their geographical places to effectively function on the
development of their respective Community, Why not us?
May Shree Durga Parameshwari Ammanavara, Alvekodi bless us and take us
towards progress.
Thanks & Regards,

Rajnikant S. Kudpi
98862 14023