Udupi: The District Administration along with the Udupi Tourism Department has organised ‘Alupotsava’-Heritage Walk and Folklore Festival from January 25 to 27 at Barkur.Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy will inaugurate the ‘Alupotsava.’
Speaking to the media in a press conference, Deputy Commissioner Priyanka Mary Francis said, “Cultural heritage is a reference point to our past. It will help us to understand our history and ancestry that binds us together. At the same time, it will also be an integral part of our present and future.”
Priyanka said that Barkur is a place of Metropolitan antiquity. Barahakanyapura is the original name of Barkur. Barkur has a long history of more than 2000 years. It was a busy port from the beginning of the Christian era. It was the capital city of local dynasty called Alupas. It was a political centre under the Hoysalas. Barkur was the provincial capital under the Vijayanagara rulers. Even Keladi Nayaks also had Barakuru as their centre of activities.
The deputy commissioner said, “Heritage Walk will begin from Simhasana Gudde (Palace of Alupa dynasty) via Pancha Lingeshwara temple, Batte Vinayaka temple, Gopalakrishna temple, Somanatha temple, Manigara Keri, Aadi Parameshwara Basadi, Katthale Basadi, Chowlikeri, Baira Ganapathi and Mahaligheswara temple, Barkur Vijayanagara Fort, Someshwara temple, Moodukeri, Veerabhadra temple, Modikeri, Hirya Basadi and Kalikamba temple and Kallu Chappara which will be the last point covering 3.5-4 km stretch touching 17 heritage points. The aim of Heritage Walk is to preserve the rich heritage of Barkur so that it can be passed on to the next generation. Heritage Walks are best way to learn and recognise our culture, traditions, philosophy and myths. Barkur fest will also throw light on the Tuluva culture.”
She said that there are 366 temples and more than 30 matts in Barkur as per records.
The Heritage Walk will begin from 8 AM on January 25.
Various cultural events will be organised on all the three days. Fruits and flower shows and several other exhibitions will be inaugurated on January 25 evening.
Cultural programmes including dance, world music and Yakshagana will commence from 7 PM.
On January 26, Kattale Basadi Lights’ Show and programmes on Tulunadu will begin from 5.30 PM. Various other cultural programmes will also be held. Folk dances like ‘Kangilu Kunitha’, ‘Jaggalige’, ‘Puje Kunitha’, ‘Garudi Gombe’, ‘Halkki Suggi Kunitha’, ‘Dolu Kunitha’, ‘Karadi Majalu’, ‘Karaga Kolata’, ‘Chende Vadana’, ‘Gorawara Kunitha’, ‘Kodavara Kunitha’, ‘Aati Kalanja’, ‘Chennu Hunitha’ and more will be held.
On January 27, an interaction on Alupa dynasty will be held from 10 AM and various cultural programmes after 6 PM.
Anitha Kumari, Deputy Director for Tourism Department, Udupi district was also present in the press meet.
