Torke

Torke village
Torke village
Village
	UTC+5:30 (IST)

Torke is a small village in

Gram Panchayat

.

The name "Torke" is supposed to have originated from "tore", the rivulet that used to flow through the village. Local names like "torehalla" and "toregazani" also give credence to this theory. However, since this place is famous for production of salt, and a salt maker is also known to be called a "thoreya" in Kannada, Torke might also have got its name from that.

Climate

The village is a west coastal lowland and forms part of the Western Ghats. It is characterized by high temperatures throughout the year. The rainfall here is seasonal, but heavy and is about 350 cm (140 in) a year.^[1] Most of the rain is received in the period from June to November, mainly through south-west Monsoon. This suits paddy cultivation and is adequate for the growth of vegetation during the entire year. December to May is the dry months with very little rainfall which helps in Salt production. The "Naranapur" gazani is famous for salt production.

People

Its total population is about 1309.^[2] The major community residing in this place is Nadavaru / Nadava Most people presently residing in Torke are agriculturists. Others indulge in salt production, government jobs, contracting, etc.

Apart from a sizeable "Halakki-Vokkaliga"community in "Devana", a moderate sized "Harikantra" or fishermen community is also found in Hoskatt.

Places of interest

Devarabhavi, a hamlet of Torke has a famous temple called "Kengala parameshwari" which is named after the sacred "Kengalu" or "red coloured rice grains" being offered as "

Prasad

" in the temple. The small forest surrounding the temple is known as "Devarakaanu" or "Kaanu".

A centuries-old Hero stone or "Veeragallu", a carved slab of stone depicting the life of an ancient "Veera" or a brave soldier can be seen in Torke.

A building called "Ramakrishna Mandira" or popularly known as "Sanghada Mane" was built in the 1940s to house functions of Nadavara Sangha. However this building was recently demolished to make room for a new multipurpose community Hall. A new building is inaugurated.

Festivals

In the Hindu month of

Ganeshotsva

". The celebrations last three days.

Apart from a Navaratri celebration or "Maali Pooje", every summer people of Torke and surroundings also celebrate a two-day Bandihabba^[3] in its Kengala Parameshwari Temple.^[4] This "Bandihabba" culminates in animal sacrifice known as "Kolkuri".

Deepavali

is known as "Doddahabba" or the major festival and "Lakshmi Pooja" and "Balipaadya" hold special significance for businessmen and farmers of Torke respectively.

Suggi or the festival of harvest is important for Halakki vokkaligas from Devana.^[5]

Transport

Torke is connected by road. It lies on the connecting road to

Gokarna

. NH-17 is about 4.5 km away. Nearest railway station is situated in Madanageri and is called "Gokarna Road" station.

Education

Torke primary school is one of the first few primary schools in Karwar district. Ramakrishna Kawari II (born 1830) and his father Honnayya Kawari started this school in 1850s. It is still serving the community at primary level.

Gokarna. Prior to 1964, high schools at Gokarna and Bankikodla

served as their high schools for many years. Anandashram High School was the first high school for Torke students.

Notable people

SAPA. Gaonkar

Gopalkrishna P. Nayak

References

^ http://cgwb.gov.in/District_Profile/karnataka/UTTARA_KANNADA_BROCHURE.pdf ^{[bare URL PDF]}
^ "Grama Panchayat Wise Village List". Archived from the original on 19 June 2009. Retrieved 21 August 2009.
^ "The Hindu : Karnataka News : A unique festival of Uttara Kannada". www.hindu.com. Archived from the original on 5 November 2012. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
^ "Kengala Parameshwari , Devarbhavi".
^ "Suggi Kunitha in India".

[1] ttp://cgwb.gov.in/District_Profile/karnataka/UTTARA_KANNADA_BROCHURE.pdf ^{[bare URL PDF]}

[2] "Grama Panchayat Wise Village List". Archived from the original on 19 June 2009. Retrieved 21 August 2009.

[3] "The Hindu : Karnataka News : A unique festival of Uttara Kannada". www.hindu.com. Archived from the original on 5 November 2012. Retrieved 14 January 2022.

[4] "Kengala Parameshwari , Devarbhavi".

[5] "Suggi Kunitha in India".

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