Mangaluru: Battered and torn apart, Belthangady taluk is smothered, but what stands apart in this flood-hit taluk is a local Daivasthana dedicated to demi-Gods- ‘Guliga’ and ‘Rakhteshwari’ at a place called Daddugudde near Didupe.
Worship of the demi-Gods is an integral part of the Tuluva culture. The Tuluvas believe that the demi-Gods are the guardians of truth and justice and that no evil can unfurl if these demi-Gods remain benevolent. Amidst the floods, a shrine in the village is giving hopes of survival to the people.
The shrine belongs to the family of Janardhana Gowda at Daddugudde. It was constructed only two-months ago by Janardhana Gowda, who was seeking solace to a personal problem. A lavish ‘nemothsava’ (annual festival held at the shrines of the demi-Gods) was also held at the shrine after its completion.
The onset of the monsoon and then the incessant rains led to floods in the entire district and this small village in Belthangady was not spared. While houses remained damaged and properties lost in the vicinity, the shrine is the only structure that seems to have remained untouched by the floods. The house of Gowda, which is right next to the shrine too is intact. This has left the locals stunned. They feel that the deities have spoken to them and are sending across messages of hope and belief.
