Muslims worship Ali Bhoota at Hindu temple in Arikady

A pilgrim centre with a syncretic name — Bhagavati Ali Chamundi Kshetra — draws Hindus and Muslims in huge numbers.
Muslims worship Ali Bhoota at Hindu temple in Arikady

MANGALURU: A pilgrim centre with a syncretic name — Bhagavati Ali Chamundi Kshetra — draws Hindus and Muslims in huge numbers to a village near here.

The coast is famous for bhootaaraadhane (spirit worship), and people in Arikady near Kumble worship two spirits, Ali Bhoota and Chamundi Bhoota.  Who is Ali? The legend goes that he hailed from Andaman and Nicobar and had come to Arikady, 40 km from Mangaluru, for business.

The trader, the story goes, is also adept at black magic. Being lustful, he chases women. The villagers pray to goddess Bhagavati to save them from Ali.

Since Ali wears a talisman, no one has the power to vanquish him. Aware of his occult strength, Bhagavati disguises herself as a beautiful woman. She goes to Chatrampalla, a pond, and starts bathing.

Ali is drawn to her. She accepts his overtures and indicates to him to enter the pond after removing his talisman. The infatuated Ali takes off his talisman and rushes into the water. Bhagavati then transforms herself into the fearsome Chamundi, makes him recall all his mistakes, and is set to kill him. However, Ali repents and expresses his wish to be Chamundi’s devotee.

Chamundi consents and allows him to serve her. A little shrine in front of the Bhagavati temple shows Ali as a servant of Bhagavati.  The annual jatra mahotsava here takes place between March 30 and April 6.

Though no puja is offered daily, a month-long ritual is conducted during Sona, the Tulu calendar month which usually falls between August 15 and September 15.

Several spirits are worshipped during the month. The spirit of Ali is worshipped on the last three days, when Muslims throng the village. Most devotees offer jasmine to Ali Bhoota. They say their prayers are answered within a year. Villagers also talk about how worship of the bhootas got them jobs and helped them find people who had gone missing.

Infertile couples who eventually had children attribute the miracle to the blessings of the spirits here. Offerings are made in the form of gold and silver ornaments, besides chickens.

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The New Indian Express
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