Kurtakoti
Kurtakoti is a small village situated 16 Kms from Gadag and every single summer holidays of mine was spent here. My Grandfather was the zamindar and the police Patil. The main occupation of the village is agriculture. Few decades back traveling to the village in different types of transports was great fun.
Picture – (left) My Grandfather’s house, (right) My Mama’s Farmhouse
Living in more than 100yrs old ancestral home with cousins, grandparents and uncles are unforgettable. Whenever we visited, my aunts would call the bangle woman home to buy bangles for all the girls and women in the house. It used to be so exciting.
Picture – Bangle woman
The functioning of village life with its advantages and disadvantages were an eye opener and a fantastic experience.
Picture – Gowrishankar Temple
The Gowrishankar / Shiva temple was built by my great grandfather Shri Marthanda Patil and later in 1908 idols of Sri Rama, Lakshamana and Sita were installed by the famous saint Shree Brahma Chaitanya Maharaj. The temple was also visited by Sadguru Shridhara Swamiji.
Picture – Painting of Brahma Chaitanya Maharaj
The most popular painting of Shree Brahma Chaitanya Maharaj was painted in Kurtkoti by Shri Harppanahalli on 5th September 1908 during the Maharaj’s visit to the village. The copyright was given to my grand uncle Raoji Patil. The painting was sent to Germany for preparing the printing block. The block was brought back and many copies of the Maharaj was reprinted to be distributed free of cost to all devotees of Maharaj. In the painting the SriRama, Lakshmana, Sita idols painted in the background is that of the Rama temple of Kurtkoti. Some of the devotees of Shree Maharaj still have this painting framed and worship it.
Picture – Mailara Gudi / Temple
The other famous temples of this village are 500 years old Mailara Gudi, Shri Ugra Narsimha temple, Hanuman, Dattatreya temple, Virupakhshalinga temple, Rama temple and AllamaPrabhu Mutt.
Above (left) picture of my grandmother with her brothers taken in 1918 in Pune, where she studied up to 3rd standard in Marathi medium; My Great Grandfather’s painting wearing a turban
The North Karnataka outfit for men and boys comprised of a black topi / cap or a turban for the head, a white dhoti or trousers, a shirt or jubba and a black coat worn over a shirt. Young girls wore long skirt with blouse and women used to wear the nine yard saree, blouse and hair plaited and tied into a bun. On occasions women wear a nose ring known as “Gade”.
Picture – Byadagi Chilies Crop
The major crops grown here are Groundnuts, Chilies, Cotton, Sunflower, Jower / Sorghum.
Picture – Mirchi Bhajji
The cuisine of this region is my favorite, which comprises of delicious dishes like Chakkali, Avalakki, Jhunka, Jowar Bhakri, Madki Usali, Sajji Rotti, Rawa Laddoo, Besan Laddoo, Lemon and Mango Pickle, Mandagi, Masala Bhath, Antina Unde, Maledi Unde, Batati Palya, Amathi, Mango Sweet Chutney, Karchikayi, Holige, Godi Huggi, Shrikhand, Mango Shikarni, Basundi, Badanekayi Yennagayi, Kaalina Palya, Soppina Palya, Mirchi, Arala Hittu, Ranjaka etc.
Place Statistics:
Type of Place: Village
Situated: Gadag District, Karnataka
Distance: 450 Km from Bangalore, 60 Km from Hubli, 15 Km from Gadag
Transport: Well connected by road
Facilities: Small snack shops, Doctor available, High School
Tags: Kurtakoti, M.M.Patil, Mailarappa, North Karnataka, R.M.Patil, Rayappa, Travel
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Filed under: Travel
Hi Nirupama!
Excellent information!!! Really nice to see the information about my village …I am so happy..
Thank You so much.
Datta
Hi Dattatreya,
Thank you for your feedback. It is a reward for me when I hear that people liked what they read in this website.
I have very fond memories of Kurtkoti and keep visiting once in few years.
Regards,
Nirupama
Dear Nirupama,
I lived in Kurtkoti from 1943 to 54 and studies primary school there. Marthandappa, you are refering to was the elder brother of Dattappa who belonged to Ninganagowda family. I had seen Marthandappa sitting in front of his house. He had three sons, Appanna, Ranganna and Naganna. Ranganna’s son is Sriram. You may be his daughter. But according to Babu mastar (SGPatil) Sriram has only three sons. SGPatil is farm house- Govindappa’s son. His uncle was Pyati Shivappa. SGPatil knows the details of all Kurtkoti Patil family. His MPhone: 98865 15463. As soon as I saw your site I told him. You say you visit Kurtkoti very often. Whom do you meet there? The Brahmachaitanya painting by SRHarapanahalli was got done by Rayappa, elder brother of Mailarappa in 1908. I used to play in the same Rama Mandir with his son Dr.NRPatil of Annigeri now. His brother Venkanna lives in Kurtkoti now. Thanks for reminding me of my boyhood days.
Dr. B.B.Rajapurohit
Dear Rajapurohit Uncle,
It is wonderful to meet you online like this. I am the grand daughter of Maillarappa, and I lived in Mysore and has visited your house many times and I remember you and your family visiting our house in your Red car.
I visit Kurtkoti and stay at my grandfather’s house with my cousin and family.
Hope to meet you sometime and discuss more stories about this village, which has unforgettable memories for everyone who has visited this place.
Regards,
Nirupama
hi nirupama,
it is very nice to see the articale and photo’s of my place like this on net its really a wonderful job.
my dad was informed by Rajapurohit Uncle about this site and really thanking for the wonderful work done by u.
regards,
prasad.s.patil
Hi Prasad,
Thank you for visiting and appreciating the work. The last time I was in Kurtkoti, I met your dad (Babu Master) and he was the one who gave me the information about Brahma Chaitanya Maharaj’s painting. I am really thankful to him and I really appreciate his passion for the village.
Regards,
Nirupama