Nadahabb festival is celebrated in
Karnataka and is dedicated to Lord Shidlingappa and
Lord Hanuman. It is equivalent to the
Navaratri festival celebrated in rest of India. This festival lasts for 10 days, beginning on the new moon day of the Hindu month of Bhadrapad (August-September).
On the 9th day, weapons and tools are worshipped. The final day of the festival is called ‘Vijayadashami’. On this day, the idols of Lord Shidlingappa and Lord Hanuman are taken to a tree called ‘Banni’ tree, which stands in front of a temple dedicated to Lord Shidlingappa.
The ‘banni’ tree, along with the swords belonging to the servants of the village, is worshipped. The puja activities are headed by ‘Police Patil’- a panchayat appointee who helps settle village disputes. Following the worship a branch of the tree is cut. The devotees exchange leaves of the ‘banni’ tree, which symbolizes gold. With the exchange of the leaves, it is expected that everybody will forget their past differences.
The idols of the deities are then taken to a temple dedicated to Lord Biladeva. A ceremonial dance is performed by people belonging to the ‘Vagayya’ sect. On the next day, people are offered food inside the temple.
