Come May, it is the season for mangoes in Karwar, Ankola, Kumta, Honnavar and Bhatkal taluks in Uttara Kannada. It is also the season for Coastal Bandi habba Uttara Kannada District Bandi Habba "Bandi Habba" a folk festival. Basically, it is a festival for farmers to evoke the blessings of village deities before sowing. It is also celebrated in honour of those killed in wars and "Mahasatis" who sacrificed their lives to uphold the village tradition. It is called "Bandi Habba" because in ancient days the deities were placed on a "Bandi" (Kannada: ಬಂಡಿ) (a cart with four wheels) and taken in a procession.

The presiding deity of the festival is the gram devate Ammanavaru also known as Shanta Durga, Bhoomitai and Kanchika Parameshwari. The festival is celebrated for 2 to 12 days. This is the biggest festival where entire community and subjects come together. During the festival, "Kalasaa" (Kannada: ಕಳಸಾ) a small pot filled with rice grains is kept on a stone platform in the temple. The "Kalasaa" is decorated with flowers and ornaments and the mask of the deity is placed at the centre of the platform. Every day during the festival, Gunaga, the head priest, carries the "Kalasaa" on his head and goes in a procession. At night, the "Kalasaa" is placed on a platform called "Adukatte" and worshiped. "Hagarana", a folk dance, is the main attraction of the festival. "Hagarana" is then performed before the deity. After "Hagarana", the "Kalasaa" is taken to "Uyyale Chappara," a swing. The gunaga conducts the traditional rituals there. The festival brings people of different communities together. The festival can be a tourist attraction and provide opportunities to study the folk art, culture and tradition of the region.

Take a look of BANDI HABBA here: