Kodi Habba or Koteshwara Car festival is the biggest fair of coastal Karnataka. Kotilingeshwara Temple of Koteshwara in Kundapur Taluk of Udupi District is a very famous temple. A very grand fair is held here every year in the month of Kodi (November or December). Not only from Udupi district but also lakhs of people from distant places come here to celebrate the fair.
Location: Shri Kotilingeshwara Temple, Koteshwara, Kundapura Taluk, Udupi District
Reason for the name Kodi Habba:
Kodi means sugarcane. A long time ago, a king named Vasu Chakravathy ruled Basrur. He was married for a long time and did not have children. So, he resolves to build the Kotilingeshwar temple if they have children. Next, after getting a child, he builds the temple as promised.
But the Brahmaratha (Chariot) was not completed during the fair. So, they make a chariot out of bamboo and cane and celebrate the festival. In the following years the same has been practiced here. The tradition here is that if the newly married couple take a pair of sugarcane, bathe in the Pushkarani (Sacred Pond), worship the god and take it home, they will be blessed with children.
Since then every year the fair is conducted in the month of November or December. It is generally called the Kodi month. Lakhs of people gather together to celebrate the festival. On the day of the festival, the brahmaratha (Chariot) is pulled around Koteshwara and is witnessed by many devotees.
Special Stalls at Festival:
Everyone loves the stalls during the Koteshwar Festival. The entire Koteshwara road system is lined with stalls on both sides. The event lasts at least seven days, even if it only lasts one day. Despite beginning in the morning, they run all day long. There are many people on the streets even at late.
If you are a foodie, then you will find all types of street foods, chats, sweets and many more. Stalls who prepare fresh Jalebi’s and fresh Sugarcane juice are key attractions. Not only that but also different types of ice creams, fresh fruit juices, live counters of Rumali Roti, Gobi Manchurian etc are found everywhere.
For Girls and Women, going around Kodi Habba stalls is a joy like no other. Because they get their favorite bangles, various types of jewellery, colorful vanity bags and clothes at very low prices in the stalls. Especially, it is a pleasure to bargain with the shopkeepers and buy things.
The fair is also a favorite destination for Kids as well. They get different types of toys and colorful balloons. There is also a temporary amusement park set up in the festival. Giant wheel, Break Dance, Columbus, Merry go round are kids’ favorites.
Totally Kodi Habba is festival which unites so many people in and around Kundapura taluk. If you have been to this festival let us know your experience too. There is a common saying at this festival “Ter Adi Sigva” which means, let us meet near the Chariot. So “Let’s meet near the chariot” for the next Kodi Habba.
2 comments
Thanks for finally writing about > Kodi Habba – Biggest Fair of Coastal Karnataka –
Travel With Kamath < Liked it!
I visited the Kodi Habba today (27 Nov, 23) in the morning, during ratharohana. The energy, enthusiasm and coordination of the thousands that gathered is a remarkable testimony – thought there was no place to even put a foot at times, and constant struggle to get prasada — its amazing, how there is no sign of any miscreants or mishaps as such. Truly divine affair – unfortunately, the history of the temple is not documented /accessbile online, nor is it showing up on search. The festival, its joys, its blessings & its stirring of local economy — deserves more publication and promotion.