Ellu Amavasye 2035

Ellu Amavasye (ಎಳ್ಳು ಅಮಾವಾಸ್ಯೆ), the new moon of Margashira, is the great farmers' festival of North Karnataka, from Kalaburagi, Bidar and Vijayapura to Raichur and Bagalkot. Ellu is sesame, and sesame dishes are at the heart of the day.

Whole families go to their fields in bullock carts. Five stones set up under a tree as the Pandavas are worshipped with the rabi crop, and cooked food, charaga, is scattered across the field with the cry "Hulligo, Chalampalligo" for a good harvest.

Then everyone eats together on the field bunds: jolada rotti, ennegai, bajji, chutneys, and the sweet ellu holige and ellu chikki. Friends and relatives are invited, and the day ends with games and singing in the fields.