HUBLI: Tabakada Honnihalli is a village in Kalghatgi taluk of Dharwad district. It is famous for the jatra of "Holeyamma Devi" during Deepavali, which attracts devotees from neighbouring districts.

A unique feature of this jatra is that the deity has not been seen for years. Even the priest who belongs to the Valmiki community and whose family has been offering pooja for generations has not seen the deity. The idol, it is said, remains in a closed wooden box, which is kept in the sanctum sanctorum. Even the box is not visible, swamped as it is by offerings during the jatra days. The sanctum sanctorum remains closed throughout the year except during the four days of the jatra.

This is not the only speciality of the jatra. It is ensured that the lamp that is lit for the deity burns only with oil and not ghee. No flower other than "chendu hoovu" is permitted to be offered to the deity. No fruits are offered and those who wish to atone for their sins roll coconuts into the sanctum sanctorum. People say the deity cannot tolerate those who steal or tell lies.

They worship the goddess to ensure that illness does not strike their cattle.

The devout offer "urulu seve", observe the nightlong "jagarane", walk on fire and carry fire on their heads as a part of seva during the jatra.

According to 85-year-old Tippanna, the priest who offers pooja to the deity, his forefathers were under the service of the Peshwas and it was they who discovered the wooden box floating in the river. On opening the box they found an idol in it.

They brought the box ashore and began offering pooja to the idol.

Though he has been performing pooja since his childhood, Mr. Tippanna has not once opened the box.

He says: "Why should we open it? The goddess has been very benevolent and blesses those who pray to her. Our duty is to serve her. That is all."

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