Doddamane History
Kananjar Doddamane is having a history of 1000 years and it is estimated that the present house building was built around 300 years ago and housed the Arasu of Kanajar and was known for its Nyaya and Dharma. It had a demarcated portion called sathyada chavadi where disputes were settled. In the Chawadi are a Mari Mancha and the pattada mane (throne) where the arasu used to sit while deciding a case. The person seeking justice would stand in the satyada sthana where a sacred stone called Shakthi Kallu was there.One had to place their hand on this Kallu and swear to the truth.Today since Arasu does not exist ,during the utsav, Balimurthys deity is placed on the Kallu and a puja called Katte Puja is performed.
The huge pillars in the Chavadi are very impressive, made of one piece trunk and are called Bodhige Kamba. The doorframe in the chawadi bears carvings belonging to the Jain era indicates that the house was built by Jains.Today the house in a dilapidated state and portions of the house have collapsed.One can still see in the eastern and western fields the Samadhi of Nayar Heggade (doope) and others.Lighting of lamp (Sanadige Deepa) in the Chawadi is continued even today.
At one time 12 Maganes were under the rule of Kananjar Nayar Heggade. Kananjar was under the rule of Parika Aramanes Yernadu Ballala who in turn was reporting to the main arasu of tulunadu, Veerapandy, the ruler of Barkur. During the partitioning of his kingdom into 12 shares, he put 6 maganes of Kananjar under Neranki Heggade of Kattingeri and thus left Kanajar with only 6 maganes, and nominated Veera Nayar Heggade- II as the ruler of Kananjar.During this time the Heggade from Athradi,the Ala Heggade from Paddama, Kurla Heggade from Anjar, Kumara Heggade from Perdoor,Ainadu Heggade from Kabettu, Samantha from Mulky, Mardha Heggade from Kaup, Kinnari Heggade from Kanthavara were the rulers of their respective villages. The Baila Sooda from Karkala used to get Diwana Maryadi (a kind of respect in those days).
Under an agreement between Kananjar Veera Nayar Heggade and Krishnanand Vodeyar of Mysore, Kananjar was given freedom and a 13 step Pokare Kambala, a day light torch (Pagelda jitige), Nelapavadige (a white cloth that is spread before the kings feet when he walks), a white umbrella called the Shwethachatra that is held over head of only a chakravarthy.These articles are still can be seen today in Kananjar Doddamane.
It is estimated that Veera Nayar Heggade became the ruler during the year 1692 AD.
He ruled over Kananjar for 70 years till 1762 AD. Till his death he was a disciplined Brahmachari. Girls who had not reached puberty or woman who were in menopause were only allowed to serve him.He was also known for his bravery. He had dug under ground tunnels in places like Ayare, Mabunja, Derottu, and Jalalaguri to attack his enemies by surprise.He was known to have given sleepless nights to the brave and strong force of Tippu Sultan. He picked brave men from Vorasare and Ambodi.He managed to unite all the smaller kings to fight common enemies that would attack them.He was therefore respected and feared, and was the pride not only for his village but even in other areas too.
During the Temples annual utsav he used to be taken to the temple with the accompaniment of music, day light torch and Shwetha chatra like a Arasu.He used to return to Doddamane after completing the utsav activities at the temple. No other ruler in other villages had this privilege. His ability to call the 6 Maganes for a Vorasare to conduct mockwar and identify brave men was unique.
It is believed that there was a link between Nairs of Kerala and Nayar Heggades of Kanajar and the term Nayar is used in Kananjar Heggades name.In tulu language the plough that is used to till the paddy field is called "Naver" which is close to the name "Nayar" Therfore only in Kananjar, plough is called as "Guddal" as a mark of respect to Nayar Heggade. This followed even today. At one time Kananjar was a very rich village .There is evidence of many burried treasures in Kopparige which was washed away in floods. These places are called kopparige gundi today.After the defeat of Tipu Sultan the Britsh Government created a post of Patel called as "Patler" the designation given by the British government for the administration of the village and to collect the revenue from the villagers.
After the death of Veera Nayar Hegde, Mahalinga Hegde was appointed as Mukteshwar as well as first patel of Kanajar.After many years, a mjor discontent arose within this family for the position of "Patler". At that time the family property went through a partition due to which the Mukteshwar of the temple and the the post of patel was separated from holding by a individual person.After the death of Mahalinga Hegde, his younger brother Manjayya Heggade -I, became the next Patel and Thimmaiah Hegde became the Mukteshwar of the Temple.
As per aliya santhana traditions after the death of Thimmaiah Heggade, Deranna Heggade became the next Mukteshwar.After Deranna Hegde, Angadimane Annayya Hegde became the next Mukteshwar followed by Parari Mane Manjayya Hegde and Doddamnae Shivram Hegde.After Shivaram Hegdes death a Managing committee was formed to manage the affairs of the temple. The trustees appointed Moodumane Damodar Hegde as Managing trustee in 1984. Sri Sudhir Hegde the present Managing Trustee has taken charge in the Year 2009. As the management of the temple was with the Doddamane family the family is also called as Bhandara Kutumba.
The post of Patel was also followed the aliya Santhana tradition. After the death of Manjayya Hegde-I, his nephew Achanna Hegde became the Patel. After Achanna Hegde, his brother Chandaya Hegde became the next Patel.After Chandaya Hegde, his nephews has not shown interest to become Patel as per aliya santhana tradition, there fore his son Shekhar Hegde became the next Patel till the the Indian Government abolished the post of Patel.
After Knowing the history of Kananjaru Doddamane one can come to the conclusion that the village was a prosperous village at one time. The 13 Pokare Kambala, Pagel Jeetige, Nelapavadige and Shwethe chatra are still used during annual utsav of the Temple.
After the death of Thimmappa Nayar Heggade in October 1879 the family propery was divided once again in to 4 shares among the family Members. Subsequently the property was further sub divided as Moodupalu and Padupalu and accordingly at present there are 12 houses of the family in Kanajar.
| Padupalu | Moodupalu |
|---|---|
| Doddamane | Doddamane/Moodubettu |
| Thenkumane | Kotrabakyar/Nadai |
| Parai Mane | Devasya |
| Hosamane | Kalkarumane |
| Berke Mane | |
| Dugganbailumane | |
| Moodumane | |
| Neere Bhadra Guthu/Hosamane |
The information is gathered from the senior members of the family and hence suggestions are solicited from other family members for corrections/additions if any in the details of family members furnished. Family members are also requested to furnish their present address and telephone numbers to Kanajar Doddamane Family Charitable Trust to update the record.