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Witnesses say the crowd gasped as the bidding climbed higher and higher. For many, it wasn’t about the fruit at all, it was an expression of faith and prestige rolled into one.
This year, one particular fruit stole the show. A small papaya, barely a kilogram in weight and shining with a golden hue was sold for an unbelievable Rs 40,000 (Image: Canva)
In the quiet coastal belt of Karwar taluk in Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka, countless temples echo with faith and folklore. But one shrine has recently become the talk of the region for an unusual reason – not for its rituals or architecture, but for the staggering prices its fruits fetched in an annual auction. The Mahadeva Temple of Kanasagiri in Sadashivgad has once again shown that devotion can take fascinating forms.
A Century-Old Temple with a Unique Deity
The Mahadeva Temple of Kanasagiri is believed to be more than a hundred years old. Unlike most Shiva temples where the god is worshipped as a Linga, here the deity is in the form of an idol. This itself gives the temple a distinct character, attracting devotees from neighbouring villages who see the idol as an ancient guardian of the region.
Every year, devotees gather for Karthika Soma Pradosha, a sacred day that follows the Tulasi festival. The temple celebrates it with a grand fair and Deepotsava, a festival of lamps that lights up the entire hill with hundreds of glowing wicks. But it is what happens after the lights fade that truly captures attention.
When a Papaya Becomes Priceless
Once the Deepotsava concludes, the temple hosts a late-night auction, a ritual that’s part devotion, part community celebration. Fruits grown by devotees on their farms are brought as offerings to the deity. These offerings are then placed before Lord Mahadeva and auctioned among devotees. The proceeds go to the temple’s maintenance and activities.
This year, one particular fruit stole the show. A small papaya, barely a kilogram in weight and shining with a golden hue was sold for an unbelievable Rs 40,000. The winning bid came from a devotee named Uday Rane, whose offering instantly became the talk of the town.
Witnesses say the crowd gasped as the bidding climbed higher and higher. For many, it wasn’t about the fruit at all, it was an expression of faith and prestige rolled into one.
Devotion, Prestige, and Community Pride
At the Mahadeva Temple auction, it’s not just about prices; it’s about emotion and pride. Every bidder is motivated by a blend of reverence and a desire to honour the deity with the highest possible offering. Buying the first fruit or the most expensive item is seen as a gesture of divine gratitude and community respect.
This year’s event saw more record-breaking bids. A single coconut sold for Rs 1,000, while a dozen bananas went for Rs 800. Taken together, the temple earned an impressive Rs 1.5 lakh from just one plate of fruits. Locals believe such prosperity is a blessing from Lord Shiva himself, rewarding both faith and generosity.
More Than an Auction
For outsiders, these sky-high prices might seem irrational. But within temple culture, such auctions have deep symbolic meaning. They represent gratitude for good harvests, successful business, or family wellbeing. The fruits, though simple, become a way to give back to the divine.
Many such traditions exist across Karnataka and coastal India, from laddoo auctions during Ganesha festivals to coconut bids at village fairs. Each reflects a living connection between economy and emotion, where devotion and community pride intertwine.
Faith Beyond Price
In Kanasagiri, the Mahadeva Temple stands not only as a place of worship but also as a reminder of how faith translates into local tradition. The golden papaya that fetched Rs 40,000 may not have weighed a kilo, but its value went far beyond its size. For devotees, it symbolised devotion in its purest form – priceless, luminous, and offered with the heart.
As dawn broke over the temple’s lamps, one thing was clear: in this part of Uttara Kannada, faith still commands a value that money can barely measure.
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d…Read More
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d… Read More
November 06, 2025, 14:48 IST
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