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Puttur Auto Driver Startles People By Roaming As Ghost During Navaratri
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News18•12-10-2026, 15:54
Puttur Auto Driver Startles People By Roaming As Ghost During Navaratri
- •Diwakar Devadiga from Puttur in Dakshina Kannada district is catching everyone attention by dressing up in a unique ghost costume during Navaratri.
- •An auto-rickshaw driver by profession, Diwakar has been continuing this unique tradition of ghost impersonation for the past ten years.
- •He previously used to dress up as deities like Lord Krishna and Lord Eshwara, but switched to a ghost costume following a ban on religious attire.
- •Diwakar wears the costume for four days during Navaratri to fulfill a vow and entertain people, not for earning money.
- •He completes his performance before 6 PM to avoid startling people at night and has obtained proper police permission for the act.
Key Questions Answered
Diwakar Devadiga, an auto-rickshaw driver from Kemmai in Puttur taluk, has been dressing up in a unique ghost costume to entertain people during Navaratri for the past ten years.
Diwakar previously dressed as Raghavendra Swamy, Lord Eshwara, and Lord Krishna, but stopped wearing religious attire following a ban. He then chose the ghost costume to continue participating in Navaratri traditions and fulfill a vow.
A single day's special makeup costs around ₹1,500 to ₹2,000, with a Puttur artist painting his body in changing color schemes daily. To avoid startling people at night, he removes his costume after 6 PM and has obtained police permission for the attire.
