History of Hethai Habba -Jagathala
Hethai Amma
"Hethai" literally means "grand mother" in the language of Badagas. However "Hethai Amma" denotes seven ancestors of Badagas (aboriginal natives of Nilgiris) who sacrificed their lives because of the true love towards their husbands.
One of the Hethai Ammas belonged to Kodhamudi village who was engaged to Ayyah (means Grand father or great person) of Jagathala by their elders, without meeting each other. Unfortunately, there was a sudden demise of Ayyah. Due to the great love she had kept on Ayyah, Hethai sacrificed her life throwing herself on the pyre of Ayyah. This love of hers made people worship her as goddess.
Hethai Amma
"Hethai" literally means "grand mother" in the language of Badagas. However "Hethai Amma" denotes seven ancestors of Badagas (aboriginal natives of Nilgiris) who sacrificed their lives because of the true love towards their husbands.
One of the Hethai Ammas belonged to Kodhamudi village who was engaged to Ayyah (means Grand father or great person) of Jagathala by their elders, without meeting each other. Unfortunately, there was a sudden demise of Ayyah. Due to the great love she had kept on Ayyah, Hethai sacrificed her life throwing herself on the pyre of Ayyah. This love of hers made people worship her as goddess.
The Hethai Habba
First stage
Every year, during November on Monday before the falling of New moon, a Pooja called "GADDHIGAE" is performed. The head priest along with the followers together called "HETHAI KARARS" (means people of hethai) go to Kodhamudi to perform another Gaddhigae. After that, they go to all other villages that invite them. They go to all places only by walk. It is a belief that the villages where the Hethai karars go, get blessings from Hethai Amma.
Second stage
By the Full moon they stay in the "MAGGA MANAI/MADI MANAI" (a holy place) for a week. Here a new cloth for Hethai Amma is weaved. In Badaga language "Madi" means "Cloth". By the end of the week "HETHAI HABBA" (Festival) is celebrated.
Third stage
Six agnate villages (Jagathala, Karakorai, Bikkatty, Manjithala, Beratty/Malligorai and Odhanatty) are together called the "Aaroor". The Hethai Habba of Jagathala is common for all six.
One day before Hethai Habba, on sunday the Hethai Karars along with common men visit Manjithala and a holy place called "SUTHUGULLU" which is being worshiped for over 500 years. The Cordite Factory of Aruvankadu(CFA) was constructed in the same place leaving the Suthugullu intact. The Central Government of India allows people to visit the Suthugullu on the specific day. It takes utmost care on the maintenence of the Suthugullu.
Fourth stage
On Monday, the festival day, the Hethai Karars and the common people come back to Jagathala. They visit "MADI AADA" (another sacred place). The sacred cloth that was weaved in Magga Manai is washed and is dressed to Hethai Amma's Idle. Later the sacred cloth is worn by the head Hethai priest. The Idle is very sacred and is shown to common people only on the festival day.
Final stage
A pooja is performed and the idle is taken to Hethai Manai. The final worship is done in the Hethai Manai, after which the idle is placed in the sacred room and common people are not allowed to see it. The festival ends in a grand manner such that all the people of the Aaroor get blessed, while serving a special dish called Achikae, prepared using milk, saamae (a kind of grain) and jagary.
First stage
Every year, during November on Monday before the falling of New moon, a Pooja called "GADDHIGAE" is performed. The head priest along with the followers together called "HETHAI KARARS" (means people of hethai) go to Kodhamudi to perform another Gaddhigae. After that, they go to all other villages that invite them. They go to all places only by walk. It is a belief that the villages where the Hethai karars go, get blessings from Hethai Amma.
Second stage
By the Full moon they stay in the "MAGGA MANAI/MADI MANAI" (a holy place) for a week. Here a new cloth for Hethai Amma is weaved. In Badaga language "Madi" means "Cloth". By the end of the week "HETHAI HABBA" (Festival) is celebrated.
Third stage
Six agnate villages (Jagathala, Karakorai, Bikkatty, Manjithala, Beratty/Malligorai and Odhanatty) are together called the "Aaroor". The Hethai Habba of Jagathala is common for all six.
One day before Hethai Habba, on sunday the Hethai Karars along with common men visit Manjithala and a holy place called "SUTHUGULLU" which is being worshiped for over 500 years. The Cordite Factory of Aruvankadu(CFA) was constructed in the same place leaving the Suthugullu intact. The Central Government of India allows people to visit the Suthugullu on the specific day. It takes utmost care on the maintenence of the Suthugullu.
Fourth stage
On Monday, the festival day, the Hethai Karars and the common people come back to Jagathala. They visit "MADI AADA" (another sacred place). The sacred cloth that was weaved in Magga Manai is washed and is dressed to Hethai Amma's Idle. Later the sacred cloth is worn by the head Hethai priest. The Idle is very sacred and is shown to common people only on the festival day.
Final stage
A pooja is performed and the idle is taken to Hethai Manai. The final worship is done in the Hethai Manai, after which the idle is placed in the sacred room and common people are not allowed to see it. The festival ends in a grand manner such that all the people of the Aaroor get blessed, while serving a special dish called Achikae, prepared using milk, saamae (a kind of grain) and jagary.
