Culture

All-night Yakshagana at Gundabala

About 13 km east of Honavar, a village temple stages Yakshagana every night of the season, from about 9 pm until dawn.

Why Gundabala is special

At Gundabala the Mukhyaprana (Hanuman) temple is believed to love Yakshagana. Devotees thank the deity by sponsoring a full night's performance as a vow, called a harake. So many people make this vow that performances are booked years in advance.

The temple's own troupe, the Gundabala Mela, performs on a permanent stage in front of the temple. It is one of the few places where Yakshagana is still staged every night through the season, the way it has been done for generations.

When to go

The season runs from roughly December until the monsoon arrives in late May or June. Shows start around 9 pm with drums and preliminary dances. The main story builds after midnight and ends at dawn, around 6 am.

Dates can shift each year, so ask your host to confirm before you go.

Tips for first-timers

Arrive early to find a spot near the stage. Carry a shawl for the cool early hours and some water. You do not need to follow the Kannada: the singing, drums, costumes and dancing carry the story.

Arrange a cab or auto back in advance if you do not plan to stay all night. Dress modestly, as this is a temple.

More Yakshagana nearby

In Gunavante, the Idagunji Mahaganapati Yakshagana Mandali was founded in 1934 by Keremane Shivarama Hegde. It is accredited by UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage committee. Combine an evening at Gundabala with a morning at the Idagunji Mahaganapati temple.