Mangaluru : Tulluvas sacred day is Aati Amavasya and on this day of the year, a decoction prepared by using Paale tree bark is consumed by everyone and this day is eagerly looked forward. Aati, since times immemorial, come to believe that scraping the bark of ‘Paale’ (Satni Rooku in Konkani, Devil’s or Spirit’s Tree), and drinking decoction of this bark by boiling it with some other ingredients like garlic, turmeric and fenugreek seeds works a good immunity against diseases that are specific for rainy season, and also against evil effects and sins of the past.

It is a habit that men from each family visit the forests, to collect the bark, with which the decoction a herbal drink is made and after having it, take bath. A visit to the temples, for a holy dip in the ponds, and offer prayers. Some of the temples visited by devotees on this day are Narahari Parvata near B C Road, Karinjeshwara in Vogga, Bantwal, Kirimanjeshwar near Kundapur etc., to offer prayers for good health and desirably secure future The people of the coastal district of Karnataka are of the belief, that consuming of this Kashaya (decoction herbal drink) prepare them for natural seasonal changes, fear of evil spirits, and for availability of plenty of normal food .. It is also believed, the doctors, who where practicing native medicines during the ancient period, had found this to have had magical cure and this was found after long research. They found that this bark had such medicinal qualities and cure during the first three days of Aati month.

Also was in practice on Aati Amavasya was that this decoction, a herbal drink was to be consumed before sunrise. The Bark is bitter, and when garlic, pepper, cumin seeds etc are added,, ‘Paale’ as the drink is called, become bitter and strong Kashaya..

Also every year, other barks which resemble this bark is mistaken for Palle tree, and people who have had decoction of having died or have fallen sick. Couple of other trees, resemble this tree. One has to go the previous day in the evening and identify, the tree, but generally people come in the early morning when there is poor light and they wrongly identify. Researchers in Ayurveda medicine, have found it to be having excellent medicinal qualities, and it is used by Homeopathic practitioners and practitioners of Chinese system of treatment. However, the practice of consuming this drink has been forgotten and less by the day presently in coastal Karnataka at present.