HULIYAPPA, The Tiger God

Since time immemorial, Indian culture had encouraged harmonious living with nature. We have a great tradition of respecting all the elements that constitute our universe. The worship of Mother Nature is very common among many indigenous cultures. This is reflected in celebrating festivals, observing rituals, worshipping trees and animals. Among all animal worships tiger worship is more fascinating.

Tiger worship can be seen among tribal and people residing close to forests. The reasons for tiger worship are two fold- one the ethics of conserving all living beings on earth that are created by God and show reverence to his creation; second the fear of tiger attack and the hope that his worship would please him and the cattle and family would get protection. Tiger, though greatly feared, are afforded protection on religious grounds. In Hinduism tiger worship is associated with Shivism. Shiva is clad in tiger skin; his wife Parvati’s vehicle is tiger. In many tribal societies tiger god is called Vyaghreshwara.

Abhisheka ritual carried out to the idol of Huliyappa

Tiger worship in Uttara Kannada has a unique cultural and religious tradition. Tiger population, though scanty at present, once thought to be high in the forests of Western Ghats. Popularly called Huliyappa, the tiger god is worshipped with reverence and elaborate rituals. Not only the idols of Huliyappa are installed as per the vedic rituals but he enjoys the same status and respect as any other prime Hindu God. 

During our recent visit to Uttara Kannada District, we witnessed a grand festival and fair dedicated to Huliyappa at Kalagaar village, approximately 3 kms from Sirsi town. Kalagaar Huliyappa is associated with Mahaganapathi temple of Tailagar village, which is 1.5 kms away from Kalagaar village. This is an annual fair celebrated on Karthika Bahula Amavasye each year. The temple premise is called Huliyappana Katte.

'Baalakkondu Kayi'- A coconut for a tail

We were mesmerized by the elaborate rituals performed by a team of purohits. The pooje started after midnight. Huliyappa was offered Shodashopachara pooje, the 16 fold worship such as avahana, asana, abhisheka, vastra, pushpaalankara, naivedya, aarati etc. Then began the most unique ritual ‘Baalakkondu kayi’- a coconut for a tail! Villagers offer a coconut for every cattle they possess! All the villagers in the surrounding area offer coconuts. The entire premises of Huliyappa temple was filled with broken coconuts. The offerings range from coconuts, bananas, flowers to silver and gold items like cradles, face and body parts. This continued for the whole night till the next day afternoon. The people strongly believe that Huliyappa will protect their cattle and make their life comfortable. Not just this, they also believe that Huliyappa will bring back their lost cow, solve health problems of their children and domestic problems too!

Thousands from the neighborhood throng to seek the blessings of Huliyappa

Huliyappana Jaatre (Huliyappa Fair) is a typical village fair. Temporary tent shops, eateries outlets, local delicacies, roadside sellers are a common site. Thousands of people pour in and the queue runs into several kilometers. In addition, the popular drum dance Dollu Kunitha is performed and special songs in praise of Huliyappa are sung. 

Here is the Youtube link for the Huliyappa Song....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hw7WiYQlMCM

The next day volunteer team will go on the cleaning mission. Garbage from the entire area and roads is cleared. Swatch Bharat dream can be fulfilled if everybody follows these footsteps and contributes towards maintaining cleanliness. The voluntary service of these village youth is highly commendable. It was a wonderful experience to witness the Huliyappa Fair. The devotion and enthusiasm shown by the people during the overnight celebrations was feast to eyes.

Many a times, the educated men tend to look down upon the villagers as primitive, backward and superstitious. They may be uneducated and disadvantaged in some ways, but their concern for nature and understanding of life places them above all. The iconographic worship of Huliyappa teaches us a lesson.

“Look upon every life on earth as an invaluable gift. It is not a possession to be exploited, but an object of reverence and a sacred mutual trust and loving intimacy”.