Deepavali in Coastal Karnataka: A celebration of lights, agriculture and unique Tulu traditions

Deepavali in Coastal Karnataka: A celebration of lights, agriculture and unique Tulu traditions

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru/ Udupi, Nov 9, 2026: 

Happy Deepavali to all! 🪔✨

May the festival of lights fill your lives with happiness, good health, peace, success and prosperity. May this Deepavali bring new hopes, beautiful beginnings and countless blessings to you and your family. 

Wishing you all a bright and joyful Deepavali! 🪔

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Deepavali, the festival of lights, is celebrated with great enthusiasm across coastal Karnataka, with a variety of rituals and traditions reflecting the region’s rich cultural heritage.

Apart from the worship of cows and Goddess Lakshmi, Deepavali in the coastal region is associated with several unique Tulu traditions, including Baliyendran Leppuni, Saidinakklen Parba (festival of the departed) and Mullumutte.

Deepavali celebrations vary from one locality to another, with each region following its own customs and practices. In coastal Karnataka, most festivals have a close connection with agriculture. Deepavali coincides with the paddy harvest season, when the region’s principal crop is ready for harvesting. For farming families, the festival also marks the joy of bringing the new harvest home.

Traditional hanging lanterns, known as Goodu Deepa, are another feature of Deepavali celebrations. Although a variety of ready-made lanterns are available in markets today, some households continue to prepare traditional lanterns themselves.

The festival also provides encouragement to cottage industries. As Deepavali approaches, artisans and potters begin preparing earthen oil lamps in large numbers. The seasonal demand for these lamps provides a livelihood for hundreds of people. Despite the growing popularity of decorative candles and electric lights, earthen lamps continue to remain an integral part of Deepavali celebrations in many households.

Several temples in the coastal region organise special religious ceremonies during the festival. At Udupi Sri Krishna Matha, rituals such as Jalapuranashastra and Enne Shastra are performed as part of the Deepavali observances.

Known locally as Tudar Parba (festival of lights), Deepavali is marked by several traditional rituals. Gopuja (cow worship) is one of the most important customs and is generally performed on Balipadyami, the third day of the festival. Cows are given a bath, decorated with flower garlands and allowed to rest for the day.

In some places, agricultural implements such as ploughs, yokes and sickles are also worshipped. On the first day of Deepavali, family members traditionally take an oil bath as part of the celebrations.

Mullumutte: A unique village tradition

A distinctive Deepavali ritual known as Mullumutte is observed in parts of Udupi district, particularly in Kaup and Padubidri.

As part of the tradition, thorny bushes, weeds and other waste materials collected from the village are piled up at an elevated location. Early on Deepavali morning, villagers gather with drums and traditional musical instruments and collectively set the pile on fire.

Elders say the ritual symbolises the destruction of demon Narakasura. The burning of the thorny heap is also believed to drive away misfortune and evil influences from the village.

Saidinakklen Parba: Remembering departed ancestors

In parts of Udupi district, Saidinakklen Parba, meaning the festival of the departed, is observed alongside Deepavali. The tradition is dedicated to remembering deceased family elders and ancestors.

On the occasion, articles associated with departed family members, particularly belongings used during their lifetime, are taken out of storage and placed at a designated spot in the house. Banana leaves are arranged in front of these belongings, and a variety of traditional food items are served as an offering in memory of the departed.

Baliyendran Leppuni: Inviting King Bali

Baliyendran Leppuni is a distinctive Tulu tradition based on the belief of inviting King Mahabali, also known as Baliyendra, back to the earthly world during Deepavali.

The custom was once widely practised in rural areas but is gradually disappearing, according to cultural scholars.

As part of the ritual, elders traditionally erect three wooden posts near the house to symbolise Baliyendra. A lamp is lit in front of the posts, with rice and paddy placed as offerings.

Since Deepavali coincides with the paddy harvesting season, lamps are also lit in agricultural fields. A torch is traditionally placed at the corners of the fields to symbolically invite Baliyendra.

Crackers add to festive celebrations

Alongside traditional rituals, bursting firecrackers is another popular feature of Deepavali celebrations. Markets witness increased activity ahead of the festival as people purchase crackers of different varieties.

In recent years, the use of green crackers, which are designed to cause comparatively less environmental pollution, has been encouraged as part of efforts to make celebrations more environmentally friendly.

Together, these customs and rituals make Deepavali in coastal Karnataka a distinctive celebration that brings together religious beliefs, agricultural traditions, ancestral remembrance and the cultural identity of Tulunadu.