The recently known struggle from an 800 years old village Nellidadi from Karnataka, that the villagers are fighting for almost two decades has been quite disturbing. For centuries, tribes across India have faced relentless efforts of religious conversion by Christian missionaries, leading to an identity crisis among many. Yet, the tribes of Tulunadu have steadfastly preserved their Hindu heritage, resisting multiple waves of cultural encroachment. Their indigenous traditions now stand at a critical juncture, requiring protection from any attempts that may erode their true identity.

 

 

 

 Representation of 'Jumadi' Daiva from a Bhuta Kola

 

 

Imagine waking up one day to find that the land your ancestors worshipped on for centuries is no longer yours. In Nellidadi Guttu, the Daiva remains, the holy wells stand, yet villagers must seek permission to pray. Promises made in 2006 to protect their traditions were broken—last Sankranti, entry was denied. Now, they are told this will be their final Sankrama Seva. Even farmers pleaded for the land to be preserved, but their voices were ignored. Identity, faith, and heritage are being erased in the name of development. If this were your sacred space, would you accept silence, or would you fight to reclaim what is rightfully yours?

 

Despite their unwavering resilience, the tribes of Tulunadu now find themselves at a crossroads. The threats to their identity are no longer just cultural or religious—they are existential. Their sacred spaces, which have withstood centuries of external pressures, are now under siege from forces of modernization and industrial expansion.

 

Nowhere is this struggle more evident than in the village of Nellidadi Guttu, where for nearly two decades, the locals have fought a lonely battle to reclaim their sacred land.

 

For nearly two decades, the villagers of Nellidadi Guttu in Mangalore have been fighting a lonely battle to reclaim their sacred land. The Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) acquired their land in 2006 for the Mangalore Special Economic Zone (SEZ), forcing them to abandon their homes and ancestral spaces. But more than their homes, they lost something even more irreplaceable—the land of their Daivas, the guardian spirits they have worshipped for centuries. With no other recourse, they are now turning to the nation, hoping for mass support to restore their spiritual heritage.

 

 

 

 

 

The cultural and religious significance of 'Daiva Aradhane'—the worship of these divine spirits—is deeply ingrained in the fabric of Tulu traditions. Thanks to the cinematic success of Kantara, millions now recognize the importance of Daivas for the people of Tulunadu. But unfortunately for the villagers of Nellidadi Guttu, this is not just a tale on the silver screen—it is their reality, a fight for their right to worship, their right to exist as a distinct cultural community.

 

With an 800-year-old legacy at stake, Nellidadi Guttu is on the verge of being wiped out to make way for industrial expansion. Their demand is simple: if their homes are gone, at least let their temple stand. Yet, for years, their voices have been ignored. Now, as social media brings renewed attention to their plight, will the administration finally take notice?

 

For the villagers of Nellidadi Guttu, this fight is not just about land—it is about identity, faith, and survival. Their sacred spaces have withstood centuries of change, yet they now stand on the brink of erasure in the name of progress.

 

 

 

 

Their plea is simple: let their temple remain, let their worship continue. But will those in power listen before it is too late? If we allow centuries-old traditions to be sacrificed for industrial expansion, what does it say about the future of our heritage?

 

 

 

 

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