Kundapur: Living Amidst Termite Mounds, for Two Generations
Aishwarya Beejady
Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (RD)
Kundapur, Jan 14: This is the story of a family that has lived amidst termite mounds that have existed for nearly two centuries and which have been growing each passing day. Two generations of a family have lived at Kondimane in Shedimane village in the foothills of Someshwar nature’s reserve, despite the mounds that are now touching the roof, and the general perception that such spots are inhabited by snakes.
The house where the termite mounds exist is nearly three centuries old. Girija Poojarti is the head of this family, whose father Manju Poojary also lived here. Girija and Chenna Poojary live here presently with their four children. The house has been maintained as is, except for the thatched roof being replaced with tiles. The termite mounds have grown nearly 25 feet in height and touch the roof, but no one knows their depth.
The house has its own history. Kalu Poojary who lived in the house was a priest at the Koti–Chennaya Deivastana. The courtyard has an earthen-‘Tulsi Katte’ and massive slabs are laid on the steps. The sit-out and rooms are made of mud and everything has been retained in its original form. The sit-out is relaxing and soothing for anyone who comes tired from scorching sun.
Fear of Cobras
The house lies in the foothills of the Someshwar reserve forest which is inhabited by cobras. Though cobras had descended into the termite mound on a few occasions, they did not harm anyone. The termite mound has become a part of the lives of the family and has never been a hindrance. There were many attempts to destroy the termite mound in the past, but it continued to grow. “The family also believes in divinity attached to the termite mound that grows freely at the heart of the house. Their life goes on unhindered,” said local resident Rajprasad.
“We have tried to remove the termite mound in the past, but whenever we did so, we were faced with many difficulties in life. Since then, we have not bothered and have carried on with our lives despite the termite mound nearly touching the roof. We have no resources to build a new house. We have three daughters and a son. We all earn our livelihood by working as farmhands. The reptiles have never harmed anyone in the family,” says Girija Poojary.