Kurtakoti

December 21, 2009 by Shantha 73 Comments

Kurtakoti is a small village situated 16 Kms from Gadag and every single summer holidays of mine was spent here. My Grandfather was the zamindar and the police Patil. The main occupation of the village is agriculture. Few decades back traveling to the village in different types of transports was great fun.

Picture – (left) My Grandfather’s house, (right) My Mama’s Farmhouse

Living in more than 100yrs old ancestral home with cousins, grandparents and uncles are unforgettable. Whenever we visited, my aunts would call the bangle woman home to buy bangles for all the girls and women in the house. It used to be so exciting.

Picture – Bangle woman

The functioning of village life with its advantages and disadvantages were an eye opener and a fantastic experience.

Picture – Gowrishankar Temple

The Gowrishankar / Shiva temple was built by my great grandfather Shri Marthanda Patil and later in 1908 idols of Sri Rama, Lakshamana and Sita were installed by the famous saint Shree Brahma Chaitanya Maharaj. The temple was also visited by Sadguru Shridhara Swamiji.

Picture – Painting of Shree Brahma Chaitanya Maharaj

Picture – Paduka of Shree Maharaj, as abhishekha was performed daily the paduka is getting corroded and disintegrated

The most popular painting of Shree Brahma Chaitanya Maharaj was painted in Kurtkoti by Shri Harppanahalli on 5th September 1908 during the Maharaj’s visit to the village. The copyright was given to my grand uncle Raoji Patil. The painting was sent to Germany for preparing the printing block. The block was brought back and many copies of the Maharaj was reprinted to be distributed free of cost to all devotees of Maharaj. In the painting the SriRama, Lakshmana, Sita idols painted in the background is that of the Rama temple of Kurtkoti. Some of the devotees of Shree Maharaj still have this painting framed and worship it.

Picture – Mailara Gudi / Temple

The other famous temples of this village are 500 years old Mailara Gudi, Shri Ugra Narsimha temple, Hanuman, Dattatreya temple, Virupakhshalinga temple, Rama temple, Lakshmi Temple and AllamaPrabhu Mutt.

Above (left) picture of my grandmother with her brothers taken in 1918 in Pune, where she studied up to 3rd standard in Marathi medium; My Great Grandfather’s painting wearing a turban

The North Karnataka outfit for men and boys comprised of a black topi / cap or a turban for the head, a white dhoti or trousers, a shirt or jubba and a black coat worn over a shirt. Young girls wore long skirt with blouse and women used to wear the nine yard saree, blouse and hair plaited and tied into a bun. On occasions women wear a nose ring known as “Gade”.

Picture – Byadagi Chilies Crop

The major crops grown here are Groundnuts, Chilies, Cotton, Sunflower, Jower / Sorghum.

Picture – Mirchi Bhajji

The cuisine of this region is my favorite, which comprises of delicious dishes like Chakkali, Avalakki, Jhunka, Jowar Bhakri, Madki Usali, Sajji Rotti, Rawa Laddoo, Besan Laddoo, Lemon and Mango Pickle, Mandagi, Masala Bhath, Antina Unde, Maledi Unde, Batati Palya, Amathi, Mango Sweet Chutney, Karchikayi, Holige, Godi Huggi, Shrikhand, Mango Shikarni, Basundi, Badanekayi Yennagayi, Kaalina Palya, Soppina Palya, Mirchi, Arala Hittu, Ranjaka etc.

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Place Statistics:
Type of Place: Village
Situated: Gadag District, Karnataka
Distance: 450 Km from Bangalore, 60 Km from Hubli, 15 Km from Gadag
Transport: Well connected by road
Facilities: Small snack shops, Doctor available, High School

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