Deva Kett

Author 

Darshan Devaiah Kaiblira (Nelji) .

Deva Kett

Deva meaning God , Kett refers to restrictions.
This is a period of restrictions implemented on a village, naad or whole Kodag depending on the reach of the particular diety . 15 days prior to the particular diety’s temple festival , the Deva Thakkas gather at the temple, verbally announce the beginning of restrictions (Kett) and the news is spread across the village as “Deva Kett budhdhath” .

In this period – hunting , breaking of chicken eggs, cutting of trees, making loud noises, fighting, functions, using of musical drums in funeral etc are completely banned . Usually Deva Kett of dieties like Povodhiamme, Badhrakali , Madeva applies for particular villages or Naad . Whereas, Puthari Kett of God Igguthappa is applied for whole Kodag Dhesa, so it is called Dhesa Kett . On the festival day the Deva Thakka gives an opportunity for those who unknowingly broke the restrictions to apologize to the God and pay a fine to the temple (Thapp Pana ) . People who defended themselves from Snake attack or Tiger attacks are pardoned off. The Thakka while verbally ending the Deva Kett ,curses the people who knowingly broke the godly restrictions. Every Temple will have its own ritual to end the Deva Kett .
For instance, while ending the Deva Kett of God Igguthappa at Malma (the sacred place in Igguthappa Kundh ) individuals from 3 temples (Paadi , Nelji , Peroor ) sit around a heap of rice and pull the rice towards them with both hands. This marks the end of Deva Kett , which is artistically said as “Aané poalé kett na vaiyola muripuh ” meaning- Elephant like restriction is broken with nails.

Because, of this tradition the flora and fauna of Kodag flourished in this period of the year. Every village would witness two to three such Deva Kett in a year.