Bidarathala, the ‘bachelors’ village’ in Karnataka

Bidarathala, a remote village near Kottigehara in Mudigere taluk, is isolated and lacks basic amenities. Inaccessible roads, absence of power, and no schools deter development, leaving local men unable to find brides

Bidarathala, a secluded village perched on a hilltop near Kottigehara in Mudigere taluk, has earned the moniker “bachelors’ village”. Men face immense difficulty in finding brides, as parents are reluctant to marry their daughters into a place so isolated and devoid of basic amenities.

Despite being only 3 km from the Charmadi Ghat section of NH 73, Bidarathala is virtually inaccessible. The rugged road leading to the village is navigable only by four-wheel drive vehicles, and even walking the stretch is difficult.

Life in isolation

The village is home to just ten families, all interrelated, who have lived there for decades. They collectively cultivate around nine acres of land, though their efforts yield little due to constant threats from wild elephants and gaurs.

Bidarathala has no power supply and has never had an anganwadi centre, let alone a school. The nearest school is in Kottigehara, 11 km away, and the absence of transport forces children to stay in hostels elsewhere if they wish to study.

“In our families, there are seven men aged between 25 and 43, all unmarried,” says Nagesh B.R., a native who now runs a canteen in Kottigehara. “Our children are not getting marriage proposals because of the conditions in our village.”

Seventy-year-old Meenakshamma, a long-time resident, hopes her son Girish will move away for better job opportunities and a chance to marry. “I’ve lived here for over 50 years. I wish at least my son leads a happy life somewhere else,” she laments.

Tragedy on rough roads

The villagers recount harrowing stories of losing loved ones due to the inability to reach a hospital in time.

B.R. Sathish, 42, recalls losing his father, Rudre Gowda, in April 2017. “I was in Kottigehara when I heard my father had fallen sick. I managed to find a pickup vehicle with a four-wheel drive and rushed back, but he passed away before we reached the highway,” he recounts.

A similar tragedy befell B.K. Girish, 38, whose father was carried in a doli (hammock) 26 years ago. “He died on the way, and we brought his body back the same way for cremation,” says Girish.

Better times

Once, Bidarathala thrived with coffee, paddy, cardamom, and lemongrass cultivation. Lemongrass, in particular, brought prosperity, with farmers extracting up to 30 kg of oil every 45 days. However, eight years ago, cultivation stopped as wild elephants repeatedly destroyed the crops. The situation worsened in 2019 when heavy rains damaged houses.

Although the government has allotted sites for the villagers in Banakal, 15 km away, many are hesitant to leave due to their agricultural ties in Bidarathala. The residents have appealed to the district administration for a comprehensive rehabilitation package to help them rebuild their lives.

When The Hindu contacted Chikkamagaluru DC Meena Nagaraj, the officer said she would look into the issue.

Published - December 12, 2024 07:41 am IST