Madikeri Dasara which has a history of more than 120 years is as popular as Mysore Dasara.The Madikeri Dasar has been noted for as unique celebration and in resent years it has been attracting more than one lakh people on the final day. The Madikeri Dasara, which had four mantapas 40 year ago, now has 10 Mantapas in the procession and on the last day of Dasara, Vijayad Dashami, all the Mantapas will be taken out in a procession from each temple committee and will it assembled in Gandhi Maidan. As years pass by, people want innovation in the style of celebrating Dasara.
Bheem Singh, the man behind Madikeri Dasara
 People with dreams and visions try to bring changes in society. But their activities will be valued only belatedly. The origin and development of Madikeri Dasara celebration is closely linked with Bheem Singh, a Rajasthani, who came to Madikeri and settled down here.
Bheem Singh was the prime mover of the first Dasara mantapa procession. He made the first mantapa on tractor by making wooden pallets as mantapa.
Bheem Singh’s forefathers had migrated from Rajasthan and settled in Mysore. Later they shifted to Madikeri. Bheem Singh’s father Arjun Singh settled down in Madikeri to earn a livehood. Bheem Singh, inspired by his father, a god fearing person, learnt the art carving klols of deities.
Bheem Singh’s daughter Sharadha Bhai says: “My father used to spend from his pocket and take the idols on his head and go from the house to another.”
Sharadha Bhai also recalls that in 1958 and after there were only four mantapas. Bheem Singh’s mantapa was second after the mantapa of Sri Rama Mandira. The other two were those of Dechoor Rama Mandira and Balaka Rama Mandira. She also recalls that the sanctity attached to Dasara celebration is in fact even today.
Bheem Singh’s grandson Ravi Kumar Singh, a PWD contractor, says: “Compared to those days, today’s Dasara can be termed a hi-tech Dasara when one looks at the way it has grown over the years.” He also recalled that when the site for his house was identified it was told that it was having a temple like structure. Hence he thought of building a temple there called Raghu Rama Mandira.
Ravi Kumar recalled the efforts of Bhem Singh in bringing toy makers from Mysore and the use of tractor to carry the idols. The first such idol was that of Sri Chamundeshwari and it was carried on a tractor in 1958. This was appreciated by the deputy commissioner of Coorg I C Subbaiah who gave an award to appreciation. The saga of Madikeri Dasara will not be complete without remembering Bheem Singh’s Contributions. |
