During the ‘Ashtamangala Prashne’ ritual, it was suggested to completely clean the Kannike River and the lake. Also, it was discovered that there are several undiscovered places of worship at Talacauvery and efforts must be undertaken to discover them and start the puja rituals. During the questioning ceremony, the priests suggested that one more Subramanya Temple must be constructed at Talacauvery.
There is a place where a Goddess resides and this must be discovered and restored.
There were seven holy kundikes (holy pond) at Talacauvery and at present, only one Kundike is existing and efforts must be on to identify and restore those hidden kundikes, the ritual revealed. Both Talacauvery and Bhagamandala must be strictly treated as pilgrimage centres and not as tourist centres.
Tourists must be barred from dressing inappropriately at the holy places and all commercial activities must be banned, the ‘Ashtamangala Prashne’ revealed.
The ritual also revealed that during the renovation and restoration of Talacauvery, many concrete-laying works were undertaken that spoiled the natural look and at the same time it resulted in cutting of several trees. Several natural water sources were closed to lay concrete foundation, the priests said.
‘Waste of money and time’
Ashtamangala Prashne is a waste of time and money and those who pursue this ritual have the sole intention of making money, alleged Allaranda Vittal Nanjappa, Convener of Allaranda Ranga Chavadi.
Speaking to Star of Mysore, he said that the ritual wasted precious time and it is a futile exercise. “The ritual is a business where ardent devotees are misguided to follow one set of rituals and practices.
“The main problem here is the domination of priests instead of traditional rituals performed by Kodava families like Mandira, Pattamada & Manavattira. Certain Kodavas too have come under the influence of the priests & this has caused present vulnerable state of River Cauvery,” he alleged.
Vittal has said that Kodavas and their families have never harmed the river and the real culprits are some resort owners and property developers who, without realising the importance and significance of the holy place, have indulged in indiscriminate development, spoiling the place.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / May 27th, 2018
If you were to take a left turn on the dusty highway that connects Mysuru to the highlands of Coorg, and trek for a kilometre and a half, the profusion of Tibetan flags, the signages in Tibetan and scores of Buddhist monks walking about, makes it appear like you have reached a new country. Prayer flags flutter in the light breeze and we can see the huge arches of the Namdroling monastery. Bylakuppe, a Tibetan settlement, has arrived. The monastery is choc-a-bloc with tourists. Its colourful murals depicting the lives and times of Buddha and his followers are a huge draw.
An abode for the believer
Inside the monastery are statues of the Buddha Padmasambhava, Buddha Amitayus and Buddha Shakyamuni. The Padmasambhava is also known as the Second Buddha and is believed to have played a vital role in the spread of Buddhism to Tibet and Bhutan. The Amitayus are celestial Buddhas known for longevity. Another stand-out feature is the prayer wheels situated at one end of the monastery that borders paddy fields. It is believed that rotating the prayer wheels brings good luck and prosperity. If you are confident, you can try and rotate the prayer wheels that surround the monastery compound. The wheels are believed to contain consecrated mantras and prayers, and turning them in a clockwise direction is supposed to benefit others. Although turning the wheels is considered an alternative to chanting mantras, most devotees tend to combine the two activities.
The huge complex also hosts monastic colleges and occasionally you can spot monks going about their daily routine. The monastery is massive, and the huge arches, the spinning prayer wheels and spires add to the grandeur of the complex. There are plenty of spots where one can relax and meditate. Small shops selling memorabilia from the monastery and produce from Coorg are also there. Outside the complex, I run into Prashant P, an auto driver who shares with us the history of the settlement. “This is one of the oldest settlements in the area and was set up in the late 1950s. Apart from the Namdroling Monastery, the Sera Jay monastery is also popular, where classes are held for monks. It is a bit off the tourist track.”
To find peace and quiet
We set off for Sera Jay, past paddy fields and Tibetan colonies on the hillocks and in quick time, arrive at the imposing structure. If you are looking for some peace and quiet, this is where you can get it. You can lose track of time by watching the monks. The huge verandah of the complex is beautiful, though not open to visitors. Prashant says, “It consists of two monasteries, Sera Jey and Sera Mey. The question-answer sessions and debate sessions at the monasteries are great to watch.”
No visit to Bylakuppe is complete without mentioning its food. There are fried and steamed momos sold at small stalls and the Tibetan thupka, a noodle soup served with Tibetan bread. College student Vishal Prasad comes to Bylakuppe from his college in Mysuru just to sample the food. He says, “This settlement has the best Tibetan food. It is very tough to find this food, in the rest of South India. What I like about Bylakuppe is the manner in which they have transplanted their culture in a completely new place.”
Getting there: Bylakuppe is about 87 kilometres from Mysuru and is well connected by bus. You can also get rickshaws from Kushalnagar.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Life & Style> Travel / by Nikhil Varma / May 24th, 2018
Kodagu district administration says personal opinion of astrologer is not official decision
The Kodagu district administration has scotched rumours that women will be barred from climbing Brahmagiri betta from Talacauvery temple, the spot where the Cauvery takes its birth.
Satish Kumar, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Kodagu, said the personal opinion of an astrologer from Kerala, who was invited for the ritual of ‘Ashtamangala Prashne’ held at Talacauvery, was construed as an official decision of the government-appointed temple committee. ‘Ashtamangala Prashne’ is part of an astrological tradition and entails answering queries raised to find solutions to problems.
“The temple committee is vested only with the responsibility of routine administration and cannot take unilateral decisions outside the purview of its prescribed duties. Besides, the Talacauvery temple is administered by the Muzrai Department of the State government and is not a party to the opinion stated by an astrologer,” said Mr. Satish Kumar.
“I sought a report from the temple’s executive officer, and he reported that it was the personal opinion of the mystic and has nothing to do with the temple committee,” Mr. Satish Kumar added.
There was a furore after the priest said that only men, girls below 10, and women above 50 years will be allowed to climb Brahmagiri Hills between Tula Sankramana day and Vrushabha Sankramana day.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Mysuru – May 25th, 2018
Swastha has rehabilitated many such children
There are 101 such children in Swastha
It has been training special children in various vocations since 2004
Madikeri:
Swastha, a centre for rehabilitation of special children on Sunticoppa-Madapur road in Kodagu, is a “home sweet home” for 101 such children.
Swastha has been taking care of such children and training them in various vocations since 2004.
Ganga Changappa, project head of Swastha, told The Hindu that 19 children, who had been trained in bookbinding, folder-making, screen printing, manufacturing table mats, bags, mushroom cultivation and offset printing, had been shifted to Polibetta, where they were working now.
In Swastha, special children undergo training under the watchful eyes of specialists. As many as 18 children have found placements in Kodagu and elsewhere. Some have been self-employed. Tulasi, who joined Swastha in 1986 and trained there till 2003, is now employed in a garment factory in Bangalore. Manohar, who was admitted in Swastha with cerebral palsy, works as a helper at the KSRTC depot in Kushalnagar. Guruappa, who is partially visually challenged, works in the Bengaluru International Airport.
Three are working as instructors at Swastha itself. Mohini, who is physically challenged, is working as a tailoring instructor, according to Aarti, counsellor and psychologist at Swastha. Two mentally challenged girls got married some time ago. Besides, seven children had joined regular schools under inclusive education stream, she said.
Eighteen-year-old Gaurav from Somwarpet made news recently for a different reason. He is less than two feet in height. But he is unperturbed by this and is preparing for the SSLC examination.
Special skills are needed to handle such children, and the faculty at Swastha has them in abundance. The faculty deals with children with cerebral palsy, autism, mental retardation, and epilepsy.
There are six special educators, a rehabilitation teacher and a speech therapist, apart from the counsellor.
Ms. Aarti said Swastha had also brought the parents of the children under one roof. The parents had formed a self-help group. They would meet on the fifth of every month. The group was planning to buy sweaters for the special children this year.
The children get free vocational education, accommodation, uniforms, and medical care. There is free transport for day scholars. Swastha is funded by the JRD Tata Trust and Coorg Foundation, an initiative of Tata Coffee Limited, Polibetta.
Ms. Ganga Changappa said Swastha incurred an expenditure of Rs. 30 lakh every year. Two hundred children had applied for admission in Swastha, she added.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Karnataka / by Jeevan Changappa / August 17th, 2008
Mysuru: Kodava Deenabandhu Charitable Trust, Mysuru, in association with Kodagu Educational & Social Service Trust (KESST) and Kodava Samaja, Mysuru, will conduct a career awareness workshop covering Defence, Civil Services and Banking on June 3 from 9 am to 1 pm at Vidyaashram College auditorium in Jayalakshmipuram here.
Spot registration will open at 8.30 am on June 3 and there will be no registration fees.
Eligibility
Kodava students who have passed 10th standard and above, along with their parents, may attend the workshop.
Lunch for the participants has been arranged at Kodava Samaja premises in Vijayanagar 1st Stage. Buses facility will be arranged to ferry the participants to the Samaja.
Those interested may contact Pattada Jayakumar on Mob: 94806-65525, according to a press release.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / May 22nd, 2018
A three-day Ashtamangala Prashne ritual began yesterday at Talacauvery under the guidance of A.V. Narayana Poduval and team of Payyanur in Kerala. The ritual is being held to find out solutions to problems, if any, in Talacauvery.
The octagonal questioning ceremony (Ashtamangala Prashne) was initiated on the day that marked the beginning of ‘Tula Raashi’ to ensure smooth functioning of the pilgrim centre. The religious ceremony started with Vamshith, a boy from Tannimani village, offering prayer to the astrological, octagonal sketch.
Prayers were offered to Dakshinamurthy, Cauvery and Agasthyeshwara in the north-east direction and the astrologer is said to have experienced a spiritual vibe during the prayers. The octagonal questioning will continue for another two days at the pilgrim centre before starting off with the religious, ritualistic puja offerings to river Cauvery.
During the Ashtamangala event, it was revealed that the sanctity of Talacauvery, the birthplace of River Cauvery, is being repeatedly violated by indiscriminate tourism. The centre has turned commercial with even rituals like “Tula Bhara” being used at the temple with the sole intention of making money.
The place has turned into a tourist attraction over the years rather than being a religious place, the Ashtamangala questioning revealed.
It was also revealed that though there are designated places for the tourists to sit, they sit in all places, even near the Holy Kundike, inside the temple complex, spoiling the sanctity of the temple. Also, women come to the place dressed inappropriately.
The Holy Kundike from where the river emerges must not be closed and must be left open for the sun’s rays to penetrate. Also, the practice of the priests allowing devotees, especially VIPs, to stand around the Kundike for hours together must be stopped. Devotees must not be allowed near the Kundike and people must leave Talacauvery after sunset. All these practices that were strictly followed since ages are not being followed now, the Ashtamangala questioning revealed.
The main astrologer from Kerala A.V. Narayana Poduval was assisted by Mysuru lecturer M. Shyam Sundar Shastri, who translated the proceedings to Kannada. The puja was conducted by priest Prashanth Achar.
The octagonal questioning and predictions is usually conducted at Talacauvery once in every decade and the Talacauvery Bhagamandala Temple Committee President Biddatanda S. Thammaiah said that the last prediction was made when the temple was renovated, which was 12 years back.
“The Ashtamangala Brahmakalasha ceremony was conducted before starting religious offerings to the Goddess. It is a ritual to conduct this ceremony as it will guide us through any wrong doings at the pilgrim centre. She (Cauvery) is a lifeline to many people and it is the Committee’s duty to maintain the sanctity of the place and see that all divine ceremonies are conducted in the right way,” he added.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / May 22nd, 2018
Ganga is the trustee and adviser to The Coorg Foundation, an independent social wing of Tata Coffee that has been working towards promotion of the welfare of the local community of Kodagu.
Ganga Chengappa
An organisation is not just known for the products it makes, but also the impact it has on the society at large.
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is today every large organisation’s focus. As William Clay Ford Jr said, “Creating a strong business and building a better world are not conflicting goals – they are both essential ingredients for long-term success.”
Tata Coffee, too, goes by this way of doing business. One of the largest integrated coffee plantations in the world, it doesn’t only grow, curate, and market coffee but also plays a big role in community development with its independent social wing, The Coorg Foundation, established in 1994.
Its initiative is to empower thousands of women who are employed in the estates, who can earn their livelihood now and lead a financially independent life. Similarly, Swastha, an institution for the mentally and physically challenged children, helps them express their special creativity with vocational training in informal skills. The students also learn the intricacies involved in making envelopes, files, greeting cards, screen-printing and tailoring, which makes them economically independent.
In a conversation with YourStory, Ganga Changappa, trustee and adviser to The Coorg Foundation, Tata Coffee Ltd., talks about empowerment of women workers, skill development, Swastha and further plans for the development of the community.
YourStory: Can you tell us a little about yourself and your journey with The Coorg Foundation?
Ganga Changappa: I am a special educator with over 28 years’ experience in special education, and over 38 years in social work. In 2003, I set up an institution in Coorg called Swastha, a centre for special education. Today, we have two centres – one for special education and rehabilitation and another for training and rehabilitation for boys above 18 years. Initially, we started with 20 students and, in 14 years, the number has grown to 375. Currently, I manage the functioning of these centres.
After initiating the community-based rehabilitation programme that aims at bridging the gap between the differently abled and mainstream children, and to link them with the available services in the Somwarpet taluk, we also conducted several rehabilitation workshops. We succeeded in rehabilitating 150 children by imparting job-based skills. We have successfully trained children for Special Olympics and 10 children represented the country in Australia, the Netherlands and the US and won several prizes. We have also successfully conducted Go-Get in – a sports meet for abled and differently abled children every year.
YS: Can you tell us about the formation of The Coorg Foundation, its goals and its mission?
GC: In 1994, Darbari Seth, the Chairman of Tata Coffee, visited Kodagu district as part of his visit to the estates of the erstwhile Consolidated Coffee Limited. Rechristened as the Tata Coffee Pvt. Ltd in 2000, the company has 13 estates spread across the district of Kodagu. Although coffee estates dot the other districts of the Western Ghats also, the highest concentration can be found in Kodagu. The former Chairman of Tata Coffee felt the need for holistic development of the district. It was with this in mind that The Coorg Foundation was formed. The vision was based on the five pillars of Sports, Education, Environment, Healthcare and Culture.
YS: How have you worked towards women’s empowerment and in what sectors?
GC: My first stint towards women’s empowerment started even before my career with special education. As a newlywed in Munnar, Kerala, I believed women workers or the women of the district could be empowered with soft skills to help improve their livelihood. Self-help group or a ladies’ group was the catalyst that could bring about these changes.
As my husband was working with Tata Tea in Munnar, there was an opportunity within the agriculture sector. The company, being the major stakeholder in Munnar, I floated the idea of a special school with the managers’ wives on the estates. This, at once, empowered women like us and gave us an opportunity to make a difference. Starting a special school in Munnar came with its own challenges, but allowed us to further empower a whole host of women. Starting with the staff and support staff, the women of the district got new opportunities to work and augment their families’ income. This also changed the outlook of the local people, as earlier the only women working were in the tea fields, so this added a dash of inspiration for the rest of the ladies in the district.
The core of our mission, however, was to educate and empower the differently abled, given that there were limited resources for them in the district. The school was co-educational so gave equal opportunities to girls and boys. The crowning glory would be the vocational training and practical skills imparted, beyond basic education. This empowered differently abled girls of the district to stand on their own two feet, thereby becoming a boon to their families that otherwise would neglected them.
YS: How have lives of women changed through your empowerment programme?
GC: There are several examples of women who have transformed their lives through our empowerment programmes. There are two that stand out for me, especially.
Rekha was born with cerebral palsy and after two unsuccessful operations on her lower limbs, which were defective, she was left feeling frustrated and had little hope for her future. This was around the time that Swastha started and she applied for a seat for the skill development programme. She took courses at our vocational training centre and equipped herself with skills in screen printing and the making of different kinds of stationery. Once she completed her course, given her skill levels and interest, we were able to offer her the role of an instructor.
Suma was a quiet and shy 17-year-old when she first came to Swastha. Given the lack of opportunities for a hearing- and speech-impaired student, she sought a training course to give her practical education. The tailoring course gave her the skills and added to her confidence. She went on to teach some of our other hearing- and speech-impaired students who went on to complete Class X, an incredible feat in these parts.
Subsequently, she got married and moved to Mysuru, where she continued her tailoring. Currently, she is working as a tailor in Bengaluru with a premier garment manufacturer.
YS: What are your future plans?
GC: I have been working on this idea of taking special education and rehabilitation services to every individual and every community. By empowering communities to deal with the differently abled, we can create a society of tomorrow where we are respected for our differences and not judged on the same. My aim is to spend my life trying to bring this conversation to the public and to make society more inclusive for the differently abled. I hope I can make a small difference to the community of those with special needs and therefore the world at large. To this extent, I have been working on a ‘community-based rehabilitation programme’ in Kodagu district. My hope is to break the barriers of institutional solutions to the problem and rather have a community-based approach that can solve the problem at a grassroot level and that which can be replicated the world over
source: http://www.yourstory.com / YourStory.com / Home> Her Story / by Rekha Balakrishnan / May 21st, 2018
Harihara Mukkatira to host 23rd Edition at Balugodu
Napoklu (Madikeri): The 35-day Kulletira Cup Hockey tournament, played between Kodava families, drew to a close here yesterday with Chendanda family winning the prestigious Cup for the second consecutive time.
The tournament was played at General K.S. Thimayya Stadium near Napoklu Cheriyaparambu. Anjaparavanda team, a three-time past winner, ended as runner-up. Chendanda team defeated Anjaparavanda 2-0 to retain the Cup. Chendanda team opened its score with a goal from Bopanna in the first half. The team scored its second goal with International player Nikin Thimmaiah scoring in the second half, to take the lead to 2-0.
Chendanda team could have scored more goals has it not failed to convert three penalty corners into goals. Anjaparavanda team too had its chances, but failed to strike whenever opportunities came in its way.
Although Anjaparavanda team lost, its international goal-keeper Anjaparavanda B. Subbaiah exhibited his skills, earning the applause of the gathering.
A total of 334 Kodava Family teams had taken part in this 22nd Edition of Kulletira Cup.
Speaking at the prize distribution ceremony, former Olympian Maneyapanda Somaiah said that the game hockey has become a festival itself in Kodagu. Highlighting the role of Pandanda Kuttani in hosting this hockey fest, he wished that the Hockey Cup maintains its glory in future too.
Karnataka Media Academy former Chairman Maneyapanda Ponnappa, who also spoke, said that Kodagu was home to sports. Pointing out that there were more than 25 National and International Hockey players in the district, he said that Napoklu was home to many of these players. Stressing on the need for having a turf on this ground, he sought the co-operation of everyone for it.
Journalist Jeevan Chinnappa and Kulletira Cup Organiser Areyada Pavin Ponnanna were felicitated on the occasion. Kulletira family Pattedar Madappa and Kulletira Cup Hockey Committee President Shambu Mandappa presided. Kodava Hockey Association President Kaliyanda Nanaiah, Reva University VC S.Y. Kulkarni, SP Rajendra Prasad, Dy.SP Sundaraj, and others were present.
BS Yeddyurappa greeting KG Bopaiah (right) in 2010. (Photo: PTI)
Even as high tension and drama prevails, the Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala appointed KG Bopaiah, the BJP legislator from Virajpet as the pro tem speaker of the state’s legislative assembly.
The move came after the Supreme Court bench on Friday ordered that a floor test should take place in the Karnataka assembly at 4 pm tomorrow, where Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa will need to prove majority support. Earlier, Yeddyurappa had been given 15 days to prove majority.
A pro tem speaker is a temporary speaker who administers the oath of office and secrecy to the newly-elected MLAs. According to the norms, the senior-most member of the House is chosen as a pro tem speaker. He/she decides if the trust vote should be held through a voice vote or ballot.
According to convention, 71-year-old Congress MLA Raghunath Vishvanath Deshpande was supposed to be appointed. But in a twist, the Governor invited Bopaiah to take oath as pro tem speaker this afternoon.
WHO IS KG BOPAIAH?
Full name: Kombarana Ganapathy Bopaiah
Born on October 17, 1955
KG Bopaiah was a former speaker in the Karnataka assembly in 2009.
Bopaiah was elected as MLA 4 times, thrice from Virajpet.
Bopaiah was also the former Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.
He has served as pro tem Speaker for four days after the BJP won the mandate in 2009.
He has been closely associated with the Sangh Parivar since his school days.
He was as an active BJP’s youth wing ABVP member during his college days.
He participated in the movement against the Kambadakada dam project in Kodagu proposed by the government in 1970.
After completing B.Sc., Bopaiah joined the BMS College in Bangalore for LLB course. He was arrested during the Emergency in Bangalore and jailed for some time.
After completing the LLB course as a gold medallist, Bopaiah returned to Madikeri in 1980 and started practising law.
He was appointed as general secretary of the Kodagu unit of the BJP and elevated as its president in the 90s.
He was chosen to contest from the Madikeri Assembly segment in 2004, which he won comfortably.
source: http://www.indiatoday.in / India Today / Home> News> Elections / May 18th, 2018
As part of its 24th anniversary celebrations, Bharani Art Gallery has organised an exhibition of water colour paintings by well-known artist H.P. Rangaswamy at its premises, M-1198, 3rd Main, 6th Cross, Vivekananda Nagar (near Circle), from May 20 to 22 between 10.30 am and 7 pm.
The expo will be inaugurated by Ln. P.K. Somaiah, Industrialist andformer President, Kodava Samaja Cultural and Sports Club, Mysuru, at 10.30 am on May 20. Also, there will be a lecture on ‘Art and value’ (Kale mattu Moulya) by K.C. Mahadeva Shetty, Principal, Sri Kalanikethana College of Arts, Mysuru.
Theatre artiste Mandya Ramesh will be the chief guest. N.B. Kaverappa, senior artist, chief convenor and curator of the Gallery, will preside. Artist H.P. Rangaswamy will be present.
About the Gallery: Bharani Art Gallery is the first service-oriented private art gallery of Mysuru. Established in May 1994, this gallery is devoted for the exhibition and promotion of visual arts. This is the only rent-free gallery of Karnataka with aesthetic lighting and display walls, along with both attached guest room, being offered to artists.
The Gallery has attained many ‘Firsts’ such as conducting of ‘Art Camp-Exhibition-Discourse’ of 10 senior-most artists of the State, bringing well-known artists of Mumbai, Kolhapur, Sangli and Udupi to exhibit their special art works. Foreign artists from Finland and Australia have also exhibited their Vedic Art creative paintings here, in addition to many other photo exhibitions and art exhibitions. For details contact Mob: 94485-54221.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / May 18th, 2018
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