The Legend of Karapura
Located on the banks of river Kabini, Karapur is a village with an interesting connection to Ramayan. The incident is a local legend known as the legend of Karapura about Luv and Kush, the sons of Ram and Sita, and is not something mentioned in the Ramayana. A temple was built in Karapur for Luv and Kush but it submerged in water after the establishment of Kabini Dam. A new temple has been built where people can perform Puja. Staying in our Red Earth Resort in Kabini, you can plan a trip to Karapur.
We are familiar with the story of Ram banishing Sita from his kingdom after returning to Ayodhya. Later Sita took refuge in the ashram of Valmiki and gave birth and raised two sons Luv and Kush who later reunited with Ram. During the time Sita was wandering, she had once taken refuge under a tree. Her children Luv and Kush were hungry and like any hungry children were consistently asking her to provide food. Sita followed a flickering light that was coming from a distance and she asked her children to wait quietly till she returned with food.
Sita finds out that the light is coming from a temple. Seeing a single woman wandering in the jungle at night, the priest calls her inside. He asks her about her whereabouts. She tells her story which causes a considerable delay. Upon realizing that Sita herself is exhausted and it’s been very late, the priest asks her to take a rest at the temple while he goes with some food and looks for her children.
He found the tree where Luv and Kush were waiting for Sita. The children angrily demanded he takes them to their mother. The priest first feeds the children with patience and then brings them to the temple where Sita was waiting for them.
The tree on which the children took refuge standstill today. There is a small shrine at its base. Every year, on a particular date, two children from the village dress up as Luv and Kush and after a series of religious ceremonies conducted at the tree shrine during the night, are taken in procession from the tree to the temple where they are symbolically reunited with their mother. The legend of Karapura has been passed on from one generation to another, by an annual ritual of two kids dressing up like Luv and Kush and visiting their mother in the temple.
According to Ramayan Sita lived with Valmiki in his ashram and never came down south. This is one example of how Aryan influence spread in the south. Adoption of the legends of the dominant culture by the other is a way of currying favor and being accepted by the dominant culture. Most of the kingdom of the Punnatas was submerged under the Kabini river after the Kabini dam was constructed. One can only wonder about the numerous secrets of this ancient civilization. To get a glimpse of history from the 5th century, visit our resort in Kabini where we have curated a selection of figures and stones from the period.
Before the conservation, Kabini forest was a royal hunting lodge and venue for the entertainment of many princes and viceroys. Spread over 55 acres, this reserve is now part of the Nagarhole National Park and provides shelter to many endangered species. Red Earth Kabini, our resort in Kabini is located near the National Park. It is also in close proximity to Karapura.
Enjoy your staycation at Red Earth Resort in Kabini with your friends and family and discover the history and mythology associated in and around the river and forest. Far from the hustle and bustle of the city, enjoy the calm of the jungle.
