Story of Swamy Koragajja
Tulunadu is the abode of daivas. The traditions, culture, rituals and belief systems of this land has its own significance and importance. Daivaradhane is one of the main modes of worship prevailing in Tulunad. The residents of Tulunad have been worshipping the daivas with great devotion and faith from generations together. Daivas have been always guiding and protecting their devotees by warding off their miseries and fulfilling their wishes.
Daivas can be classified and worshiped as those belonging to animal origin, human origin and mythological origin. The daivas of human origin are the ones who have fought against inequality and injustice, left their physical bodies and moved to higher spiritual planes. These daivas possess immense powers and are being worshipped by the people of Tulunad. Koragathaniya or Koragajja is one of those powerful daivas.
Koragathaniya’s father’s name is ‘Varavana Odi’ and mother’s name is ‘Korapolu Maire’. When Koragathaniya was just 30 days old, his mother passed away. Thereafter even his father passed away and Koragathaniya became an orphan. Koragathaniya left his home Javanda Male, in the midnight and reached Bolungari. Sitting on the sand in Bolungari, he offered daddalkai (fruit of a tree called daddal in Tulu) and sand, instead of coconut and rice to god and prayed facing east. Just then a lady by the name Myrakke Baidyethi appeared before him. Looking at Koragathaniya’s helpless situation, her heart melted, she took him home and took care of him like her son.
Under Myrakke Baidyethi’s shelter, Koragathaniya grew up in Ensuru Barike (place). He weaved 1000 baskets and offered it to temple to fulfill his parents’ vow. Later, his foster mother Myrakke Baidyethi expressed her wish to offer 7 loads of thiri baare bonda (tender leaves of coconut tree, banana plant and tender coconut) to Maada Maisandaya Daivasthana. Koragathaniya carried 7 loads of offerings by himself to the Daivasthana. Koragathaniya was refused entry into the Daivasthana. Enraged by this, Koragathaniya lowered the loads outside the Daivasthana and walked towards the Daivasthana. There he saw a citron fruit bearing tree leaning towards the Gopura of the temple. When he was about to pluck the fruit for his mother, 7 year old Koragathaniya disappeared from that place.
Daivas can be classified and worshiped as those belonging to animal origin, human origin and mythological origin. The daivas of human origin are the ones who have fought against inequality and injustice, left their physical bodies and moved to higher spiritual planes. These daivas possess immense powers and are being worshipped by the people of Tulunad. Koragathaniya or Koragajja is one of those powerful daivas.
Koragathaniya’s father’s name is ‘Varavana Odi’ and mother’s name is ‘Korapolu Maire’. When Koragathaniya was just 30 days old, his mother passed away. Thereafter even his father passed away and Koragathaniya became an orphan. Koragathaniya left his home Javanda Male, in the midnight and reached Bolungari. Sitting on the sand in Bolungari, he offered daddalkai (fruit of a tree called daddal in Tulu) and sand, instead of coconut and rice to god and prayed facing east. Just then a lady by the name Myrakke Baidyethi appeared before him. Looking at Koragathaniya’s helpless situation, her heart melted, she took him home and took care of him like her son.
Under Myrakke Baidyethi’s shelter, Koragathaniya grew up in Ensuru Barike (place). He weaved 1000 baskets and offered it to temple to fulfill his parents’ vow. Later, his foster mother Myrakke Baidyethi expressed her wish to offer 7 loads of thiri baare bonda (tender leaves of coconut tree, banana plant and tender coconut) to Maada Maisandaya Daivasthana. Koragathaniya carried 7 loads of offerings by himself to the Daivasthana. Koragathaniya was refused entry into the Daivasthana. Enraged by this, Koragathaniya lowered the loads outside the Daivasthana and walked towards the Daivasthana. There he saw a citron fruit bearing tree leaning towards the Gopura of the temple. When he was about to pluck the fruit for his mother, 7 year old Koragathaniya disappeared from that place.
Sri Panjandaya and Banta Daivas appeared in the form of a bell (Gante) in the forest known as ‘Ukkuruda Gudde’. After a period of time, they settled in Bhandarabail. The Arasu Daivas of Udyavara Mada, with the intention of expanding their territory, settled in the designated royal space (Arasu Katte) at Kuthar. There ensued a battle between Panjandaya, Banta Daivas and the Arasu Daivas of Udyavara Mada. The battle raged for 7 days and 7 nights, but the victor could not be decided. The powerful Koragathaniya Daiva who had disappeared, offered a stick (pole of strychnos tree) as offering to Sri Somanatha, the Supreme God of Principalities of 9 Maganes and came to Udipu Kallu. There he saw Panjandaya and Banta Daiva sitting in distress. Koragathaniya Daiva offered a stick (dante) to Panjandaya and Banta Daiva, enquiring if he could be of any help. Panjandaya and Banta Daivas explain the invasion of Arasu Daivas. Koragathaniya Daiva asks what he will be granted if he ousts Arasu Daivas from their territory. In turn, Panjandaya Daiva asks Koragathaniya Daiva what guarantee he has to believe that he can do this task which was impossible for them. As a reply to this, Koragathaniya Daiva reveals his real form (Virata Roopa). On seeing this, Panjandaya and Banta Daivas feel assured of his capabilities. Panjandaya and Banta Daiva said “If you are able to oust the Arasu Daivas from our territory, I will offer you food cooked in village (Bailud Atil) and Narthana Seve in forest (Kaadud Mechi) and will give you seven primordial places (Aadisthalas). In those places, I will give you the powers to fulfill the wishes of your devotees who conduct services to you in darkness, without the use of fire or light (thoothudar).
Having got this assurance, Koragathaniya Daiva proceeded to Kuthar Guthu house and with his powers, created a brown skinned cow (Gendhe Kabulthi). He killed the cow, cut its leg and hid it inside his head cover (Muttale). He went to the Arasu Daivas who were sitting in the Arasu Katte and told them “you should return to your original place as per the religious norms. If you do not, I will chase you by throwing this leg of sacred cow on you. The Arasu Daivas who observed strict moral practices, looking at the leg of the sacred cow, returned back to their native place Udyavara Mada. Panjandaya Daiva gave Koragathaniya, the promised seven villages (Aadisthalas). In the seven Aadisthalas given to Koragajja, seven siris used to be the Primordial Daivas. Hence they were provided with alternate lands. Therefore, while conducting Kola (Narthana Seve) to Koragathaniya Daiva, the primary submission service is done to these daivas. The siris are also called as eight spirits (Enma Mande Pidayiyayinakulu) or Merer Daivas (they are: two elder brothers, two younger brothers, one sister bride (Akka Madimal), Guliga, Sunnalayi and Pili Bhootha).
In ancient times, all these daivas were worshipped in the seven Aadisthalas of Koragajja. Panjandaya Daiva gave alternate places to these daivas. Koragathaniya Daiva was wandering in the invisible form before getting the present settlement. As per the sayings of the people of earlier generations, there is a history of 800 years for the rituals of Sri Panjandaya, Banta, Sri Vaidyanatha and Sri Koraga- thaniya Daiva. The festivals and rituals of these daivas are traditionally performed under the guidance of Munnur Grama Thantri, Administration of Maganathadi Family (by virtue of lineage), leadership of three guthu houses namely, Kuthar Guthu, Kallala Guthu and Bolya Guthu along with Genimane Balike House. Hundreds of supporting staff with specific assignments of service, work selflessly day in and day out for the smooth functioning of the festivals and rituals of these daivas. The daivas Panjandaya and Koragathaniya address Maganathadi family as “Kallala Guthu”.
In ancient times, all these daivas were worshipped in the seven Aadisthalas of Koragajja. Panjandaya Daiva gave alternate places to these daivas. Koragathaniya Daiva was wandering in the invisible form before getting the present settlement. As per the sayings of the people of earlier generations, there is a history of 800 years for the rituals of Sri Panjandaya, Banta, Sri Vaidyanatha and Sri Koraga- thaniya Daiva. The festivals and rituals of these daivas are traditionally performed under the guidance of Munnur Grama Thantri, Administration of Maganathadi Family (by virtue of lineage), leadership of three guthu houses namely, Kuthar Guthu, Kallala Guthu and Bolya Guthu along with Genimane Balike House. Hundreds of supporting staff with specific assignments of service, work selflessly day in and day out for the smooth functioning of the festivals and rituals of these daivas. The daivas Panjandaya and Koragathaniya address Maganathadi family as “Kallala Guthu”.
It is the custom to preserve the valuable ornaments of Panjandaya, Banta and Koragathaniya Daiva and Bhandara of Koragathaniya Daiva, Stick (Dhante) Head Gear (Muttale) and Trishoola of Guliga Daiva in the safe custody of Maganathadi family. On an auspicious day in December, the Bhandara of Koragathaniya and Guliga will be taken from Maganathadi House to Aadisthala Deralakatte (Kanthi Kall) which is one of the 7 Aadisthalas of Koragathaniya, where Koragathanlya Daiva’s kola takes places. Guliga Daiva’s kola will take place in Guligana Katte (which is also in Deralakatte). Both the kolas take place at the same time. Guliga Daiva goes to Koragathaniya Daiva’s Adisthala Deralakatte and both the daivas meet (bheti) in the Kola. This is the age old tradition which is being followed till date. In the 7 Aadisthalas of Koragathaniya Daiva, it is strictly prohibited to construct temples, install idols, light lamps or burn incense etc. This restriction is the tradition followed here from time immemorial.
Seven Aadisthalas of Koragathaniya Daiva:-
Since time immemorial, when there was a conflict between the village daivas Panjandaya, Banta and Maleyali Chamundi of Kaniru Thota, Vaidyanatha Daiva came forward to negotiate for compromise between them with the grace of Lord Somanatha. Vaidyanatha told Panjandaya Daiva to throw the silver ball which it was holding. The silver ball thrown by Panjandaya Daiva from Bardekatte fell at Kannada Kere. This area was declared by Vaidyanatha Daiva as Panjandaya Daiva’s boundary. When Maleyali Chamundi Daiva threw its bronze ball from Bardakatte, it fell at Kedilaya Katte Near Kaniru Thota. The place where the ball fell was decided by Vidayanatha Daiva as the boundary place of Maleyali Chamundi Daiva. Panjandaya Banta Daivas promised Vidyanatha Daiva to give service in their sirimudi for solving the conflict. This practice is prevalent even now. On the day of sona sankramana, after the Tulu month ‘Aati”, village folk perform ‘Thudara Bali’ (service of lighting the lamps) to Panjandaya, Banta and Vaidyanatha Daivas. As per the direction of Panjandaya Daiva, two kola festivals are offered to Koragathaniya Daiva in two Aadisthalas namely, Dekkadu Manjapaltha Mannu and Swamithala Someshwara, on behalf of the village people. In the remaining 5 Aadisthalas, kolas are performed by the family authority. After these 7 kolas, kolas of vow can be offered by the devotees. In Aadisthala Someshwara, only one kola is performed in a year, by the contribution of the villagers.
This is the tradition followed from age old days. In olden days, people used to offer sammana or agel to Koragathaniya Daiva by serving food on a plantain leaf placed on a winnowing pan, to fulfill their vows. This kind of service of fulfilling the vow can be done anywhere. There is no custom of offering the ‘agel’ in any of the Aadisthalas of Koraga- thaniya. There is no customary restriction of place or locality for conducting this ritual.
This is the tradition followed from age old days. In olden days, people used to offer sammana or agel to Koragathaniya Daiva by serving food on a plantain leaf placed on a winnowing pan, to fulfill their vows. This kind of service of fulfilling the vow can be done anywhere. There is no custom of offering the ‘agel’ in any of the Aadisthalas of Koraga- thaniya. There is no customary restriction of place or locality for conducting this ritual.
DEVOTEES KINDLY PAY ATTENTION:
Koragathaniya Daiva has received seven Aadisthalas as a gracious gift from Panjandaya Daiva. Koragathaniya Daiva has been accepting kolas offered by its devotees without the use of lights and lamps in six of the seven Aadisthalas and blessing the devotees from time immemorial. Apart from these 7 Aadisthalas, Koragathaniya Daiva does not have any other Aadisthala. There is no entry for women from evening 6.30 to morning 6.30 in these 7 Aadisthalas. Clicking photos and video recording is strictly prohibited in all the Aadisthalas.
Koragathaniya Daiva has received seven Aadisthalas as a gracious gift from Panjandaya Daiva. Koragathaniya Daiva has been accepting kolas offered by its devotees without the use of lights and lamps in six of the seven Aadisthalas and blessing the devotees from time immemorial. Apart from these 7 Aadisthalas, Koragathaniya Daiva does not have any other Aadisthala. There is no entry for women from evening 6.30 to morning 6.30 in these 7 Aadisthalas. Clicking photos and video recording is strictly prohibited in all the Aadisthalas.
