Thare

A traditional square-shaped mud and stone platform on which a stone representing the first ancestor of the clan or a spirit deity is embedded.

Thare is a traditional sacred structure associated with the ancestral and spiritual practices of the Kodavas. It consists of a square-shaped platform made of mud and stone, with a sacred stone embedded in the structure.
The stone represents the first ancestor of the clan or a spirit deity. The Thare serves as a sacred place where ancestral traditions and rituals are observed.
Traditionally, the structure was simple and made using materials available in the surrounding environment. Over generations, its form and construction have evolved while its religious and cultural purpose has continued.

Traditional use: Used as a sacred place for ancestor and spirit worship.
The sacred stone represents the first ancestor of the clan or a spirit deity.
Used for performing traditional rituals and offerings.
Serves as a focal point for important ancestral observances.

Cultural significance: The Thare continues to have an important place in the religious and cultural life of Kodava families. Every year, during the Karona Kodpo and Meedi rituals, traditional rituals and offerings are performed at the Thare.
These annual observances reinforce the connection between the living members of the clan, their ancestors and the spiritual traditions passed down through generations.

Historical context: The Thare is considered to be a tradition that dates back to the emergence and early evolution of the Kodava community. It represents an ancient form of ancestral and spiritual practice that has been carried forward through generations.
The structure and its surrounding facilities may have changed over time, but the underlying tradition of honouring ancestors and spirit deities at the sacred Thare has continued.

The platform was traditionally constructed by arranging and compacting mud and stones to create a stable raised structure. The sacred stone was placed in its designated position as the central spiritual element.

Reason for decline: The traditional simple form of the Thare has become less common because larger modern structures with facilities such as seating and improved amenities are increasingly preferred.

Revival efforts: The tradition is not extinct. Thares continue to exist and remain part of Kodava ancestral and ritual practices, although their physical form may vary from the older traditional structures.