Mangalore: People of Tulunad are celebrating Aati Amavasya on Saturday July 26 with traditional fervour. The Aati Amavasya  also known as Deevige Karkataka Amavasya or Bhimana Amavasya is  celebrated in most parts of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

It is celebrated on the new moon day (amavasya) of the Ashadha (Aati) month of the Hindu calendar. In the early morning of the new moon in the lunar month people   quietly proceed to the nearby medicinal tree known by botanical name as Alstonia Scholaris also known as Blackboard tree, Devil tree, Milkwood pine, White cheesewood and Ditabark in the English language.

It is called Halemara in Kannada, Palemara in Tulu and in Konkani Sathanacho rook. In English it is known as  Devil tree.

Taking few pieces they walk away to their residence and pound it to get the bitter juice like liquid which is consumed by the members of the family in small quantities either raw  or by usually adding some spicy ingredients and seasoning so that the bitter medicinal liquid can be swallowed without much repulsion. One may wonder the reason behind the consumption of the bitter juice of this particular tree that too on the new moon of the lunar month of Ati (Ati Amavasya).

It is believed that this bitter syrup prepared from the liquid tapped out of this Devil tree barks (Pale mara) is said to have the power to ward off health problems till the next Aati. This is one of the important aspects of the Tulu folk culture and custom. It is said that once a year before consuming any food in the morning at least a small portion of the juice of the bark of this tree should be consumed to be healthy from any type of bowel troubles.

With the festival season soon to follow after the Aati month, people in general will be eating lot many delicacies and tasty dishes which would strain the bowels. Hence, consuming the juice from the bark of this ‘Pale mara’ would provide security from unwanted stomach ailments.