Hethai Amman Festival - December'10

The deity of the Badaga community in the Nilgiris is HETHAI, the all powerful Goddess whose history is an epic of inspiration. The sacred abode of the Goddess of the Badagas is Beragani village, where the annual festival Hethai Habba (Habba means festival) is held. I was blessed and lucky to participate in the festival celebrations in Beragani and Manjoor village last December.

The Badaga community is the largest indigenous social group in the Nilgiris. Hethai Habbai is the time when the badagas located across India and the globe visit their home town to seek the blessings of their traditional goddess. The Badagas have an amazing tradition and culture. I can vouch that they are one of the most kind, simple and hospitable people on earth. You can google to find out lots of information about the badaga community, their tradition, songs, history of goddess Hethai, etc, and so I will not go deep into that here. There is a lot of information and videos available already on the web.

It is awesome to see lakhs of devotees dressed in their simple white traditional dress participate in the festive celebrations. You can never distinguish between the rich and the poor - all are the same before goddess Hethai. Although the main festival is celebrated in Beragani, it is observed in many other hatties (villages) as well.

I was pleased to meet many youngsters from the badaga community employed in cities like Chennai, Bangalore, Mumbai etc, who made it a point to take time off from work to participate in the festival and seek the blessings of goddesses Hethai. It is good to know that they still value their tradition.

And, do you know what is the offering made to the goddess since ancient times till date - 25 paise !!. Yes, Hethai just wants this much from her devotees. However, thousands offer donations by means of rice and other vegetables for the Annadhanam.

Here are some pictures of the festival at Beragani and Manjoor village that I captured during my visit in December '10.

Way to Hethai Amman temple

The abode of Goddess Hethai

Devotees at the temple

Devotees climbing a steep hill to pay respects to the lord

Devotees thronging the temple for this annual festival

Devotees at the temple

Food being prepared

Devotees at the temple

Music and dance are an inseparable part of badaga festivals. I captured some pictures from the Hethai Amman festival in Manjoor village.

 

Cheers