About Dakshina Kanara or Dakshina Kannada
Dakshina Kanara, earlier known as
South Kanara or South Canara, is a coastal Karnataka district
in the state of Karnataka in India. It is bordered by Udupi District
to the north, Chikmagalur District to the northeast, Hassan District
to the east, Kodagu District to the southeast, and Kasaragod District
in Kerala to the south. The Arabian Sea bounds it on the west.
Mangalore is the headquarter and chief city of the district.
The district is divided into five talukas, Mangalore, Bantwal,
Puttur, Sullia and Belthangady. It used to include three northern
talukas, Udupi, Kundapur and Karkal, but these were separated
in August 1997 to form Udupi district. Dakshina Kannada and Udupi
districts are often called Tulu Nadu as Tulu is the majority language
in the region. However, Tulu language and its people have been
closely associated with Kannada language as Tulu has been written
in Kannada script for many centuries. The Alupas who ruled this
region between the 8th and 14th century CE as a feudatory of all
the major Kannada empires of those times encouraged and made kannada
their official language. It is for this reason that the Tulu speaking
districts are a part of Karnataka state. Kannada is one of the
major Dravidian langauges of southern India and one of the oldest
langauges in India.
Historic Sites
- Moodabidri: Site of the ancient Jain temples and the Bhattaraka
seat.
- Krishnapura matha: one of the matha (monastery ) belonging
to ashta matha of udupi.
- Dharmasthala: Popular temple of Lord Sri Manjunatheshwara
is located here
- Kadri
- Kateel
- Ullal
- Talapady
- Kukke Subramanya: Famous ancient temple of the serpent lord
Subramanya is located here.
Cultures,Traditions and Rituals
Dakshina Kanara can be said as land of culture, tradition and
rituals. Today in the 21st century most people of the district
follow traditions, customs and rituals, even after receiving a
British-implemented modern education. The district has many temples
of Hindu gods and goddess, which are ancient and have deep spiritualism
attached to them. The people of Dakshina Kanara worship the serpent
god (Subramanya). According to legend, the district was reclaimed
by Parashurama from the sea. Hence worship of serpent is done
to original inhabitats. Many rituals like nagaradhane are performed.
Worship of spirits is prevalent in these areas. Rituals like Bhuta
Kola are done to satisfy the spirits. Kambla, a form of buffalo
race on muddy track in the paddy field, is organised. Cock fight
( Kori Katta in Tulu) is another pastime of rural agarian people,
but unfortunately has turned in to gambling.
Education
The Dakshina Kanara district is in fore front in education.
Primary and secondary education has reached every section of society.
The district's literacy rate is far above national average. In
the higher education (Degree and above), Dakshina Kanara district
has made tremendous progress. The professional education has made
a mark in the country. Students from different parts of India
flock to Dakshina Kanara and Udupi districts because of high standards
of education. A host of educational institutes offering courses
in Medicine, Engineering, Pharmacy, Nursing, Hotel & Catering
and Management are located in this district.
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