page_title: Dakshina Kannada
section_title: Cultures, traditions and rituals
hierarchical_section_title: Dakshina Kannada / Cultures, traditions and rituals
caption_attribution_description: A traditional dance performance (by Chikkamela, an attempt to keep the old dance tradition which is found in south western part of Karnataka state (Udupi, Dakshina kannada and uttara kannda districts.))
context_page_description: Dakshina Kannada is a district in the state of Karnataka in India. Mangalore is the headquarters. It is sheltered by the Western Ghats on the east and surrounded by the Arabian Sea on the west, Dakshina Kannada receives abundant rainfall during the monsoon. It is bordered by Udupi district to the north, Chikmagalur district to the northeast, Hassan district to the east, Kodagu to the southeast and Kasaragod district of Kerala to the south. According to the 2011 census of India, Dakshina Kannada district had a population of 2,083,625. Dakshina Kannada district is the second major district of Karnataka in all aspects after Bangalore Urban. It is the only district in Karnataka state to have all modes of transport like road, rail, water and air due to the presence of a major hub, Mangalore. This financial district is also known as the Cradle of Indian banking.
  The district comprises seven talukas: Mangalore, Bantwal, Puttur, Sullia, Belthangady, Kadaba and Moodabidri. It used to include seven northern talukas, but these were separated in August 1997 to form Udupi district.
context_section_description: Most people of this district follow traditions, customs and rituals. The district has many temples of Hindu gods and goddesses, which are ancient and have deep spiritualism attached to them. The people of Dakshina Kannada worship the Serpent God Subramanya. According to legend, the district was reclaimed by Parashurama from the sea. Nagaradhane or snake worship is practiced according to the popular belief of the Naga Devatha to go underground and guard the species on the top. Rituals such as Bhuta Kola are performed to satisfy the spirits. Kambala, a form of buffalo race on muddy track in the paddy field is organised in 16 sites across the district. Cock fight (Kori Katta in Tulu) is another pastime of the rural agrarian people.
  Yakshagana is the popular folk art of this district. The Yakshagana is a night-long dance and drama performance practiced in Tulu Nadu with great fanfare. Pilivesha (literally, tiger dance) is a unique form of folk dance in the region fascinating the young and the old alike, which is performed during Dasara and Krishna Janmashtami. Karadi Vesha (literally, bear dance) is another popular dance performed during Dasara. The people of Dakshina Kannada also celebrate traditional Hindu festivals like Bisu, Yugadi (Ugadi), Krishna Janmashtami, Ganesha Chaturthi, Navaratri (Dasara), Deepavali, Aati Hunime, etc.
caption: Yakshagana artists
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