Bejja Shri Dhoomavathi Banta Daivastana, Bejja, Moodambail, Manjeshwara Via, Kasagagode District, Kerala State.

It is a form of temple ("Daivastana") of Bejja village where Shri Dhoomavathi & Banta spirits are worshipped by the villagers. It is generally called as "Boota Kola" or "Boota Jatre" in local TULU language. Boota Kola or Holy Spirit Worship is an ancient form of worship prevalent among the Tulu-speaking community in the region on the south-western coast of India which consists of the Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts of Karnataka and Kasaragod district of Kerala. These districts together forms the TULUNADU.

The annual ritual ("called bejjada jatre") usually happens on the "6th & 7th" or "7th & 8th" or "8th & 9th" of April month.

One week before the ritual, there will be an inuaguaral celeberation called "Utsavada Chendu Aaramba". And then the rest of the week till the utsava, the villagers play the ball game (called "Chendaata") on the ball field (called "Chend'da Kanda")

All the ornaments of the holy spirits ("daivas") are stored in a seperate place and is called "Bhandara Mane". Day before the ritual the ornaments are carried in a great procession to the "Daivastana" by the villagers. The event is called "Bhandara Aarune".

Generally the cultaral events are organised in a seperate field next to the "Daivastana" called "Santheda Kanda". People from various village come & sell commodities, articles, dolls in this field during the ritual.

As mentioned, the "bejjada jatre" is celeberated for two days. The first day celberation is called the "Anganada Utsava" followed by "Annasantarpana" (offering meals to the devotees) and the cultural events such as "Yakshagana", drama etc.

The second day celebration is called the "Daivada Olasari". This celebration on the second day runs for the whole night & ends on the next day early morning with an event called "Bhandara Jappune". This event is nothing but carrying back the ornaments of the holy spirits back to "Bhandara Mane".

(by:vinod-pademar)