Report and Pics by Yogish D
Team Mangalorean Kundapura

Kundapur: Maharaja Varaha Temple located on NH 66 near the sea border of Maravanthe in Kundapur Taluk, is well marked with the wide expanse of the sea that lies before the temple.  Every year, Karkataka Amavasya or "Aliyana Amavasye" is being celebrated with grandeur at the temple..  Early morning lot of devotees from far and wide come here to take a dip in the sea and offer pooja to the Lord,  which is a ritual and tradition pertaining to the feast.

Varaha Temple is a pilgrimage centre which is sought by fisher folk, farmers, and people from all walks of life.  People in distress make it a point to come here and seek darshan to fulfill their "Man Ki Murad" (fulfilling desires or finding solace through Darshan).

Temple is filled with festivity, pooja, rituals,  and devotees receive 'prasada', followed by a sumptuous lunch.  During Deevige Karkataka Amavasya, people take dip in the sea trusting that all the skin diseases will disappear with the blessings of Varaha Swami, again, this is just a belief.

Newly married couples come here during Karkataka Amavasya and take dip in the sea and get darshan of the Lord believing that "all will be well" (All is Well).  Hence it is called "Aliyana Amavasye" (Amavasye of son-in-law). 

From a certain tree called "Hale Mara" ( Devil's Tree ) ,its bark is pulled out and crushed to make a drink called "Kashaya" , which is believed to have curative properties that it will eliminate all sorts of toxins from the body ensuring good health to all.  It is believed that Digambaras went in search of the bark before dawn, believing the medicine is best when taken before sunlight. Hence they try to finish the ordeal before the proper sun rise, preferably.  Throughout the taluk ,Karkataka Amavasya is celebrated with lot of fanfare.

It being called "Deevige Amavasye" or "Karkataka Amavasya", on this day  in the temples of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu (Narasimha) Temple special poojas are held.   Throughout the district in Harihara Temples, all sorts of Poojas were held.  In the district, Koteshwara, Kumbhasi, Kundeshwara, Shankeranarayana with many Shiva Temples, Varaha Swamy Temple in Maravanthe, and Vishnu Temple are quite prominent ones during this festival.