Ullal celebrates 'Kesarinalli Ondu Dina' with traditional mud games
Mangaluru, August 9
The monsoon brought a different kind of celebration to Ullal near Mangaluru as people of all age groups stepped into the mud to take part in traditional games during the 'Kesarinalli Ondu Dina' event.
The event, which means 'A Day in Slushy Water', was held under the auspices of the Ullal Shree Cheerumba Bhagavathi Temple. Participants gathered at a freshly ploughed agricultural field and took part in various games while enjoying the rain and the muddy ground.
Speaking to ANI, participant Dhanya said the event gave people a chance to celebrate their culture while staying away from their usual social media routine.
"This is a special occasion for all of us as we are here today to celebrate our culture and everything... Everyone is so happy and off social media, enjoying the culture..."
Also known as 'Kesard Onji Dina' in Tulu, the event is a popular monsoon tradition in coastal Karnataka, especially in areas around Mangaluru and Udupi. It is usually held during the traditional rainy month of Aati, which falls between mid-July and mid-August.
The celebration takes place in a slushy farming field before paddy plantation begins. People participate in games such as muddy running races, Kabbadi, volleyball, tug of war and pot-breaking competitions.
The event also aims to keep rural traditions alive and help younger people connect with the farming culture and way of life of coastal Karnataka.
— ANI
Reader Comments
As someone from Udupi, this brings back so many childhood memories! Aati month was always special - playing in the mud with neighbours before the paddy season. Glad to see this tradition being preserved for the younger generation.
Honestly, this looks like so much fun! In the West, we've lost touch with such community-based seasonal celebrations. Makes me want to visit coastal Karnataka during the monsoon. Great to see traditions thriving!
Love the spirit of this event! The pottery and tug of war in the rain sounds amazing. But I do hope they're taking proper safety precautions - playing on ploughed fields can sometimes be risky, especially for kids. Better safe than sorry! 🙏
This is the real beauty of India - so diverse yet so rooted! From Kerala's boat races to Karnataka's mud games, our traditions are just precious. The fact that they're connecting farming culture with the younger crowd is commendable. 🌾
Wonderful initiative, but I wish such events also included some discussions about the challenges our farmers face today. Let's preserve traditions but also support our farming community - they're the backbone of these celebrations.
So wholesome! 😄 Makes me want to take a break
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