(B-1024)-BRAHMASTHANA-BADETTU FAMILY'SLIFE LINE TO GOD

While growing up kids never bother about temples, Gods, poojas, homas and such other religious functions as they are more occuppied with their friends, games, playing, etc. This is true with all third generation kids of Badettu family who were growing up in places like Kollam, Allappuzha and Padubidri. But there was a vital difference in that those growing in Padubidri were more God conscious than those growing in urban areas. Vedavyas, Vittala and Seena were typically growing in places where sacred temples like Brahmasthana, Udipi Krishna, Padubidri Eashwara Temple, Kollur Bhagavathi, Annegudde Ganapathi, Kadiyali Durga Temple, Eashwara Temple at Yellur, Kukke Subramanya Temple, Dharmasthala, Kukke Subrahmanya Kshethra and a host of many famous temples in Uchila, Kaupu, Udyavara and others nearby. This constant exposure seems to have distinguished them from their urban cousins and it was always with envy they were looked upon by them. In terms of daily ritualistic practices and mandatory mantras one has to follow every day, these rural cousins were much superior. One of the reasons could be the constant peer pressure which they had to face living in Badettu House under the benevolent Narnappaya and the need to perform daily poojas in the house as well as in the Naga Bhana nearby. Looking back it is only with nostalgia one can remember those old days.

One of the most sacred worshipping places for Badetu family members was the much revered Brahmasthana, where there are no idols or regular pooja as being seen in almost all temples. Probably its special place in the hearts of Badettu folks might be due to the eminent position enjoyed by Narnappaya, the doyen of the family during the last 7-8 decades and even to day he is remembered and talked about by many old timers who still stay or visit Padubidri occasionally. The famous Thambiia and Dakkebali functions that take place even to day attracts many people from far and near who consider Brahmasthana as a highly revered worshiping center in the whole of southern Karnataka. While Thambila takes place every year, Dakkebali functions are held once in two years. One can understand the importance of this unique place when it is known that Dakkebali is celebrated only in any year when Udipi Paryaya is not scheduled.

Badettu Narnappaya occupies an exalted place in the history of Brahmasthana as he was the chief "Pathiri" (Purohit) in that place for a number of years because of his ability to imbibe the spirit of the Goddess presiding over Brahmasthana, Vanadurga. It is said that according to puranas Shakti or Durga used Brahmasthana as a transit point for resting and relaxing after killing the fearful demon Mahishasura.  It appears the Goddess was seen on a swing high on the trees in all Her glory by those Pathiris who are possessed by her. There is no well laid down procedures for selecting a Pathiri but only those who are possessed by the spirit of Goddess come on their on volition wherever they are. During olden days there used to be 10 Pathiris who were performing the ritual which has  come down to 2-3 these days.

Brahmasthana can be accessed through the National Highway # 17, being located between Udipi and Mangalore. From Mangalore and a 37 km drive from Mangalore or a 27 km drive from Udipi can take the visitors to Padubidri town. From there one can travel through a narrow 1.5 km tarred road to reach the sacred grove which has no building or any architectural features to identify except for a thickly wooded place within which the Goddess is supposed to be in. The grove is hardly 500 meters in length and 50 meters in width with no surrounding fence but the boundary being marked by tall trees and shrubs. Eastern side appears like a hillock and the Goddess Khadgeshwari, as She is popularly known or just "Amme" in local Tulu language supposed to be represented by a triangular rock about 9 inches in height, housed in a rectangular rock chamber. The floor of the chamber is white sand and this is the prasada of this sacred place carried home by many devotees.

Those belonging to Badettu family must visit this shrine at least once in their life time, pay obeisance to "Brahmeru" and pray for the health, welfare and prosperity of all the members. If possible a day Thambila also should be sponsored during the visit after prior consent of the management there. There is an office near the entrance of the shrine where bookings for Thambila or Dakkebali can be made. Because of many bookings well advance by people, especially from Mumbai and Chennai, organizing a Thambila or Dakkebali will have to be planned well advance. Besides the auditorium can also be used for functions like Upanayana, marriage, Shashtipoorthy, Shathabisheka etc if early approach is made to the management.

Answer to the last Quiz

Professor Sreenivasa Rao, the present caretaker of Badettu family properties and the eldest son of late Ananthrama who retired as a full fledged Professor of Chemistry Department in Manipal University. He is presently settled down in Chennai with his son Satish and family but visits frequently to carry out all the functions originally being done by Badettu family when Narnappaya was alive.

New Quiz for the current issue

Who among the Badettu family son-in-laws of second generation members rose to become an Income Tax Commissioner at Bangalore?

V.H.POTTY
http://vhpotty.blogspot.com/
http://foodtechupdates.blogspot.com

(B-1012)-IN PURSUIT OF GOD-BADETTU FAMILY'S ENDEAVOR

It is said that Mata, Pita, Guru and Deivam are intimately connected to each and every person born in this world. Whether one is God-fearing, God-loving or Atheist these 4 inseparable parts of life cannot be denied. Who ever is the mother, father, guru or deivam one has, their shape, behavior or attitude does not matter. It is the position these omnipotents occupy that is important. Is it not true that one has only one mother and no body else can qualify for that position. Same is true with father and guru the early teacher. God however can be one in many forms or many in one form. It is this philosophy that guides the early pioneers of Badettu family. 

All the second generation descendants paid absolute obeissance to Narnappaya as well as to Radhakka though nothing much is known about Guru. But Deivam thay all pursued in different forms. During early days Narnappaya as well as his brother Seenappaya traveled to Kerala in search of God (and also fortunes) and it is understood that many "Pottys", as those doing God's seva are known locally, served the Travancore and Cochin Royal Houses as Temple Priests for which they were supposed to have been paid handsomely. If so why is that many Pottys returned to Udupi area after a few years leaving their foot prints in Kerala? One of the reasons ascribed is that in the hierarchy of brahmins, Royalty always gave highes position to Malayalam Nambudirys, then to Tamilians and Udupi Brahmins being the last in line. The service compensation also dropped as one goes down in the pecking order.  

Badettu family invariably had its antenna pointed to Tirupathi Lord Venkateshwara, considered the Kula Devaru for a long time and frequent visits and climbing by foot to reach the present Tirumala was considered spiritually satisfying. Many third and fourth generation descendants had their Upanayanam celebrations done in Titrumala. However two important forms of  Deivam for Badettuans were Padubidri Eashwara Temple and Vana durga at Brahmastana. While Narnappaya spent a few years as manager of Eashwara Temple and was considered responsible for renovation of the now powerful Ganapathi deity there, he was one of the most reputed Pathiris at Brahmasthana till his physical condition permitted him to do the exacting and physically mentalling demanding job.

It was during 199394 that Badettuans were told after some "Prashna" that actually the Kula Deivam is the powerful Panchadurgeshwari at a place called Indrali, near Udupi. The Temple, an old one located on a small hill is one of the most beutiful ones in Mangalore-Udupi area with some hallowed history. Its days of glory under King Mayura Varma who rules Shivahalli area declined till it was resurrected by a family in Indrali village in late eighties of last millenium. From a small temple built with mud it has become  a truly marvelous place of worship for people coming from far and wide for seeking solace from miseries of life. Its famed Nanda Depa offering is supposed to fulfill wishes of the devotees who visit here regularly. The recent Ashtabanda Kalasha ceremonies conducted here were glittering with more than 3000 people visiting the temple and new Vasantamantap and Yagnashala commissioned were financially supported by Badettu family.

Some pundits suggest that the kula deivam of all people coming from Angeerasa Gothra is the Vishnumurthy of Alavoor or in Kodangala, bothe a few kilometers away from Udupi. Who ever is the Kula Deivam, Badettuans believe that all these are several forms of God, ultimately merging into one almighty. Interestingly the present care takers of Badettu houe still maintain the Maga Bhana and the Gana House with three Bhuthas in side, doing all that is necessary to keep them "happy". These abodes of Naga and Bhoothas were renovated with liberal financial supports from many Badettuans during 1994 and 2008. The old practice of serving lime "panaka" at Padubidri Eashwara Temple during the Ratholsava  a tradition associated with Badettu family is still being continued by the present third generation family residing there. The much awaited annual Ratholsava will take place on March 21 this year.

Answer to the last quiz:

There are only two medical graduates in Badettu family and both of them graduated almost simultaneously some where around 1994-95. They are Sangeetha Murthy, daughter of Hariharan and Gulabi who is presently practicing as a GP in USA and Rama Rao, son of Vittala and Sarada who is a surgeon in the UK. It is a pity that fourth generation descendants are not interested in medical line.

Quiz for the next issue:

Is there any marine engineer in Badettu family and if yes who is the person?   

V.H.POTTY
http://vhpotty.blogspot.com/
http://foodtechupdates.blogspot.com

(B-1005) NARNAPPAYA, THE TITAN

Narnappaya is the central character of the story of Badettu family settled in Padubidri. He has often been described as a pious, well built person with charismatic personally and none of his descendants could match his physique that made him a compulsive overlord of all he surveyed during his life time. He married at a relatively young age and the bride was Radhamma, also popularly known as Radhakka lo the local people who considered her a matriarch of considerable wisdom. Radhakka was practicing strict religious rituals with no compromise earning respect from one and all. Narnappaya and Radhakka were practically the wisest people to the local tribal community as well as to all Shivalli brahmin families in Padubidri Village 

He is supposed to have renovated the old Badettu House, after his return from service with the Royal Family of Travancore and established himself as a Patron for all activities in the village. His role in renovating the famous/historical Mahalingeshwara temple is remembered even to day and his service as Moktheshwar or Manager of this temple for a number of years spread its fame far and wide. The Garbhagriha portion of the Ganapathi Temple, which is even to day is considered one of the four sacred temples dedicated to Lord Ganesha in the region of south canara, was redone under his guidance and the Badettu family considered this temple as one closely linked to its fortunes. The ancient practice of serving all devotees with "Panaka", a sweetened drink made from Lemon ( Sherbet) and butter milk, during the annual festival at Mahalingeshwara Temple, is a tradition started by him and this is continued even to day by the  present day residents of Badettu House. 

Narnappaya's fame and reputation were further consolidated by his active association with Brahmasthana, the sacred grove where Vana Durga (Khadgeshwari) is supposed to reign as the undisputed Goddess for the people of Padubidri and surrounding areas. This is a unique worshiping place where no buildings or structures are permitted as per the wishes of the presiding deity and even to day it is a landmark, untouched by modern civilization, preserved in all its natural glory. The Kornaya family members are only chosen to perform "Thambila" and "Dakke Bali", the first one any day of the year while the latter is conducted once in two years. Those selected by Goddess to perform these rituals are possessed during the time of the ritual and it is believed they can do amazing wonders as a medium of the Goddess. Badettu Narnappaya performed this role for a number years as senior "Pathiri" at Brahmasthana earning tremendous respect and admiration from communities in and around Padubidri.

One of the most memorable experiences of the community in Padubidri was the miracle performed by Narnappaya in transforming "Pingara" the tender flower liked by the Goddess during the rituals into horsegram on his palm and threatening to throw the same that would have caused, according to belief, mass incidence of spread of the dreaded infectious disease Small Pox. This was necessitated by the frequent quarrels and disunity among the Shivalli Brahmins in the area causing disharmony in the village. How this action caused the community to forget their differences and unite again, is history and a standing testimonial to the greatness of this man. One of the benevolent practices during his hey days was serving oil for body massage and feasts to local tribal community and fellow Brahmin families every year during his birth day.which was well appreciated by all.  

Later part of the life of Narnappaya provides more interesting episodes and will be published in due course. If there are any mistakes or factually incorrect statements in the above narration, please give the correct version

Quiz: Who was the first qualified Chartered Accountant in Badettu Family? Be free to air your views.   

V.H.POTTY
http://vhpotty.blogspot.com/
http://foodtechupdates.blogspot.com

(B1002)-OUR ORIGIN

Padubidri village, in erstwhile South Canara district, then in Mangalore district and now in Udipi district in the state Karnataka lies almost at the middle point between Mangalore City and the pilgrim town of Udipi. The trijunction at Padubidri has three roads, one towards North to Udipi, another towards East to Karkala and the third one to South to Mangalore. Badettu family had its origin in this serene village, about 300 meters east of the Arabian sea cost. It is reported to be an off shoot of Kornaya Family connected with the sacred Grove called BRAHMASTHANA which lies 150 meters north of the Badettu family house. Brahmasthana is still revered as a deity by the family which was associated with the center of worship during the time of its founders.

The family was supposed to have been established by Sri Vankatraman, the earliest ancestor known to some of the senior members of the family living currently and he seemed to have lived from the year 1842 to 1922 after establishing a dwelling structure. This place was originally inhabited by "Koragas", a tribal community which was a vibrant group happy with their lives. Koragas used to practice beating an indigenous drum called "Bade" or "Pade" after sun set and during the nights under the influence of locally brewed intoxicants. The beating of the drum or Bade gradually got transformed into Bade Bottu and later Badettu, which became the family name of Sri Venkatraman. The house came to be known as Badettil or Badettu Mane or Badettu House in English. The exact year of construction of the house is not known to any one living at present and there are no reliable documented records to rely on. however it is assumed that the period of building the present house must have been in the latter half nineteenth century (1878-1880).

Sri Narayana better known as Narnappaya and Nanu to his friend then is the central character in any story involving Badettu family as he was a person with whom many presently living senior members had close association and family bonding. He and his Six sons and two daughters spawned over 700 members spanning a period of almost 100years, living in different parts of the country and some even in foreign lands. The evolutionary story of Narnappaya and his descendants is both fascinating and intriguing. This blogger will try to uncover some of them during the next few issues

V.H.POTTY
http://vhpotty.blogspot.com/
http://foodtechupdates.blogspot.com