Rajapur Saraswath Brahmins, now living in Dakshin Kannada have retained some customs of Goa and Maharashtra and also have adopted some of the local customs. In line with the original tradition they celebrate Ganesh Chavati,Navarathri, deepavali and Ugadi.

Deepavali:

Deepavali is one of the main festivals celebrated by the members of the Rajapur Saraswat Brahmin community. The festivities usually last for 3 days. It begins on the night of Triyodashi with the filling of pot with water for bathing the next day(jala pooran). Festivity is started on the early morning of Chaturdasi by having oil bath and serving sweets along with the traditional breakfast of dosa (poli) and chutney. Every member of the family gets newclothes and lighting Deepas and bursting of crackers mark the occasion.

Baleendra Pooja, Lakshmi Pooja and Dhanya Pooja are performed at night of the following day. Baleendra Pooja is performed in the paddy fields. King Baleendra is supposed to be visiting us for 3 days during deepavali in Bonthel(solar tulu month).He accepts offerings (bali) for 3 days and returns only after one year. Kolthudi(oiled cloth wrapped on stick) torch used for lighting up the field. Pan, supari, pieces of coconut are among things offered to King Baleendra in puja. In Kerala also people worship Baliraja during Onam.

During Dhanya Pooja heap of processed paddy is worshipped for abundance of grain store at home and prosperity. Lakshmi Pooja or Dhan Lakshmi Pooja is performed at homes as well as in all shops and other business establishments. Goddess of wealth and prosperity is worshipped and most businesses start a new accounting year.

While performing Aarathi to the cattle, during this festival, a tulu song is sung which goes to the effect that " SO FOR YOU HAD NO SHORTAGE OF GRASS AND WATER, IN THE DAYS TO COME YOU MAY HAVE TO GO FAR TO GET DRY GRASS AND A THIN STREAMS OF WATER AS MANY PONDS MAY DRY UP...OH DEAR...SEE THE GREAT FESTIVAL LIGHTS SEE THE FESTIVAL LIGHTS. (PARBAA THOODAAR THOOLEY..,kadathoppu thinond balle..,thoda...neer parond balle ........ parba thudar thoole, parba thudar thoole ..)".
Next day is Govardhan Pooja and Gopuja, worship of Gomatha, cows and bulls are washed and decorated and fed with pathole(rice cake,kadbu,idlis)etc. Many people do not milk the cow that day, leaving abundant milk for Vasur (calf). After the Deepavali comes Uththana Dwadashi, Tulsi pooja is celebrated.

The main feature of this festival is "panchkajjay" which is offered as prasad to the Goddess Tulsi. Tulsi is decorated, a small branch of avla(amla)plant is kept with the tulsi. There used to be small money box dedicated to Lord Venkatramana in every house. Prayers would be offered to Lord Venkatramana and every member of the family would put at least a small coin into that box. This box is known as mudipu.


Ugaadi:

Ugaadi or Gudi Paadva falls on the first day of Chaitra maas, according to the Chandra maan (lunar) calender. This is also called "VARSADO" in konkani. This is the beginning of the new year for the members of the Rajapur Saraswat Brahmin community and for many people across Karnataka. It is celebrated with the usual fanfare and gaiety. New clothes are bought, sweets are made, pooja performed and people get together to greet each other .


Ganesh Chaturthi:

Ganesh chaturthi is celebrated,on the 4th day of Shukla paksha in the Bhadrapad maas. This festival is celebrated with fervor and gaiety, by the RSB community members. Some families have the tradition of placing the idols of Lord Ganesh in their home and worshipping it and at the end of the festival, immersing it in a river or a well, amidst the chanting of "GANAPATHI BAPPA MORIYA". Sweets, savories and sumptuous feast is prepared and offered to Lord Ganesh as "naivedya". Nowadays community or sarvajanik Ganesh pooja or worship, are also being held, where many people get together and make a collective offering to the God of wisdom and luck.

Apart from the Ganesh Chaturthi festival, "Sankata Harna Chaturthi or Sankashti" is also observed in many families. This is observed on the chaturth tithee, after the hunnime (or full moon) of every month. The day long fast is broken after moon rise or chandrodaya after making offerings to the Lord Ganapathi. Shivraathri, Makar Sankranti and Ellamavasya are also celebrated with fanfare. Shivrathree is the festival of Lord Shiva, father of Lord Ganesh. It is observed by fasting and bhajan whole night. Birthday of Lord Krishna, "Sree Krishna Janmashtami", is celebrated by worshipping Lord Krishna and fasting till midnight. During Ellamavasya, people bathe in the sea early in the morning and perform THIL homa at the shore for ancestors.

Just before Nav Rathree, Pitra Paksha is observed. It is the time to remember our ancestors or "PITRAS" who are supposed to visit us during this fortnight. "Pinda Pradaan" is performed on exact tithee (or lunar date) during the fortnight. It can also be done on the Mahalaya Amavasya day. Thila tharpana is also performed. Some families also follow the local customs and rituals of "Kola", 'Maari Pooja’, "Daiva Araadhana". As a promise ("harake"), "Yakshgaana" performance, "Bailatam", is also offered to God. Hindu tradition is so tolerant that Hindus go to church on the day of St Mary Festival, some converted christians in Goa continue to pray Hindu Gods (family diety) and send their contributions to temples.

Worship of "Amba bhavani", "MahaLakshmi" and annual "Dev" and Gondol" worship with the ritual dance are the maharashtrian traditions which we celebrate along with Gaonkars, who used to work for us in Maharashtra. Bhuthe bring the idol of the devi to our houses, perform the puja with dance with singing of praise of devi and there is a big feast of poli and kuvala (white pumpkin).

One Marathi tradition continued for centuries is the "bhajan mandalees". Singing and traveling from door to door, this group of devotees, infuse devotion, humility and the love of God among the common men. Bhajan and Keertan used to be a significant part of everyday life for our community members. But due to nuclear families, TV, homework and other distractions, many urban families find it hard to continue this good tradition. But in the rural population of our community, this tradition is still intact.