Mattur
About Mattur
Far From City: 6 kms from city center
Cost:
About Mattur
Weather:
Time Required:1 - 2 hrs
Mattur Lifestyle
An agrarian village on the banks of the Tunga river, rich with areca nut trees, this charming village practices the ancient Vedic lifestyle, with the entire village of Mattur constructed as a square, resembling a typical agraharam. At the centre of the village lies the central temple and a village pathshala. The Vedas are chanted at the pathshala in the traditional way, and students learn them meticulously in their five-year course, under the careful supervision of the village elders. Despite being a taste of ancient India, this village has not shied away from adopting modern technologies. Modern gadgets like computers, mobile phones and motor vehicles are used by the residents, as well as the incorporation of utilities like electricity. One can even marvel at the graffiti around the village which is written in Sanskrit. Along with preservation and continuation of the ancient Sanskrit, the villagers are also committed to practising Gamaka, a unique form of singing and storytelling native to Karnataka.
History of Mattur
The village is inhabited by the Sankethis, an ancient Brahmin community that had migrated from Kerala and settled down in Mattur about 600 years ago. The popularity of Sanskrit increased exponentially after a Sanskrit workshop was held in 1981, prompting the locals to preserve this classic language. Apart from Sanskrit, they also speak a rare dialect called Sankethi, which is a mixture of Sanskrit, Tamil, Kannada, and bits of Telugu.
Best time to visit Mattur
The best time to visit Mattur is from October to May as the temperatures in the region are kind during this time of the year, hovering around 25 to 30 degrees Celsius with evenings, slightly cooler. The monsoon period also a good time to visit the village.
How to Reach Mattur
Air:The closest airport is the Mangalore airport, situated 200 km from the village.
Rail:The closest railway station is in Shimoga.
Road:The closest town is Shimoga, which is approximately 8 km from the village. As there is no bus stand in Mattur, one will have to hire a private vehicle to reach the village.
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Where to Stay
Shimoga, situated 4 kilometres from the twin villages, should be the preferred destination for accommodation as it has many options catering to all budget sizes.
Sightseeing in Mattur
In Mattur you can visit the Rama Mandir, Shivalaya, Someshwara Temple and Lakshmikeshava Temple.
The Mattur Experience
The experience of visiting Mattur will be unique as it is the only place where Sanskrit is spoken as a daily language. Also being a countryside, it helps you understand the culture and lifestyle of rural India, their beliefs and livelihoods.
Tips
1. Mattur is a small village that does not have any dining places or guesthouses. If guests want to stay in the village for a couple of days then they can stay in the local village school (Pathshala). The villagers in Mattur also offer homestays for guests.2. Brahmin males have the option of learning the Vedas here.
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