Mangaluru: At a Janmashtami celebration celebrating Lord Krishna’s playful spirit, the loudest cheers were reserved for Mohammed Bashith, a class 7 student from Kukkavu, who conquered the grease-slick Jaru Kambha and brought down the curd pot perched at its summit.Bashith, from Kadirudyavara village near Belthangady, outshone 15 to 20 older contestants in the traditional contest, which involves scaling a 25- 30 ft grease-smeared pole. Though the event is largely meant for youths and adults, he was determined to take part and secured his parents’ permission before joining the competition.
Mohammed Bashith, a resident of Kukkavu in Kadirudyavara village
His first few attempts failed. But each climb scraped away a little more grease and oil from the pole. Refusing to give up, he persisted until he finally reached the top and claimed the pot, as his father, Basheer, watched proudly.“Children are generally not allowed to climb the pole. We obtained permission from his family and made all the necessary safety arrangements as he was very keen to participate,” said Ananda Naika, president of the Janmashtami committee.For Bashith, the climb was not entirely unfamiliar. The eldest of three children, he regularly climbs mango and other trees near his home.“He told me he would not give up. I told him that if he could not climb it, he should leave it and come down,” Basheer said. “Even adults find it difficult to climb the pole. It is not easy.”The feat also reflected the community spirit that marks the locality’s Janmashtami celebrations. According to Naika, members of the local Muslim community regularly contribute to the festival and other religious programmes.
Class 7 student Mohammed Bashith climbs a slippery pole at Kukkavu.
Organisers put extensive safety measures in place, with 10 to 15 people stationed around the pole and sand- and water-filled bags placed below. The pole was dismantled immediately after the event to prevent unsupervised attempts.Local residents and the Sri Dharmasthala Grama Abhivruddhi Yojana jointly organised the celebrations. Suresh Poojary, president of the Bhandarikodi Okkutta of the organisation, said children should be encouraged to learn traditional skills under proper supervision and with adequate safety precautions.A popular Janmashtami tradition in parts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi, Jaru Kambha is more than a test of strength and balance. The contest, where participants climb a greased pole to retrieve a pot of curd tied at the top, is closely associated with celebrations of Lord Krishna.
