Shree Panjanthaya 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. Thereafter, the Arasu Daivas of Udyavara Mada, with the
intention of expanding their territory, settled on the designated Royal space at
Kuthar (ArasuKatte).There ensued a battle between Panjanthaya, Banta
Daivas and the Arasu Daivas of Udyavara Mada. The battle raged for seven
days and seven nights but the victor could not be decided.
In the meanwhile, The powerful and miracle creating Koragathaniya Daiva
(Korragajja) who had disappeared from Kadri Temple, trying to pluck the
Citron fruit, offers a stick (Pole of Strychnine tree) as offering to Shri
Somanatha , the Supreme God of principality of nine Maganes.
On his return to Kallapu he (Koragathaniya) sees Panjanthaya and Banta
Daivas sitting in distress on the rock bed at Kallade. Koraga Taniya Daiva
(Korragajja) goes and offers the stick (Dhanté) enquiring if he could be of any
help. The Panjanthaya and Banta Daivas explain the invasion of the
ArasuDaivas.
Koraga Taniya Daiva (Korragajja) asks what he will be granted if he ousts
them from their territory. In turn, Panjanthaya Daiva asks what guarantee he
has, to believe that Koraga Taniya Daiva (Korragajja) can do this task.upon
which Koraga Taniya Daiva (Korragajja) reveals his real form (virataroopa).
On seeing this the Panjanthaya and banta Daivas feel assured of his
capability.
The Panjanthaya Daiva said “If you are able to oust the Arasu Daivas from our
territory, I will offer you food cooked in village (bailud adige) and narthanaseve
in forest (kaadud mechi) and will give you seven primordial places
(adisthalas). In those places, I will give you the powers of fulfilling the wishes
of your devotees who conduct services to you in the darkness, without the use
of fire or light” (thoothudar).
Having got this assurance, Koragathaniya Daiva (Korragajja) proceeded to Kutharguthu house and with His powers created a brown skinned Cow.
Hecut the leg of the cow, hid it inside his head cover and told the Arasu
Daivas, “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. Panjanthaya
daiva gave Koragthaniya (Koragajja), the promised seven villages
(adisthalas).
In the seven adisthalas given to Koragajja, seven Siris used to be the primordial Daivas. Hence they were provided with alternate lands therefore,
while conducting rituals to Koragathaniya daiva, the primary submission
service takes place to these Siris.
The Siris are also called “eight spirits” or “Merer Daivas” (they are : two elder brothers, two younger brothers, one sister bride , Sankole Guliga, Sunnalayi
and Pilibhootha). All these Daivaswere worshipped in these seven primordial
places of Koragathaniya Daiva. Panjanthaya daiva gave alternate places to
these Daivas. Koragathaniya (Koragajja) who disappeared at the Kadri Temple 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
about 800 years for the rituals of Shri Panjanthaya, Banta , Shri Vaidyanatha
and Shri Koragajja Daivas. The festival 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 people of Maganathadi family are functioning as the hereditary administrative heads of the festivals and rituals of these Daivas in accordance with the traditional customs and practices.
The Daivas Panjanthaya and Koragathaniya address Maganathadi family as
‘Kallala Guthu‘. It is the custom to preserve the valuable ornaments like the
jewels of Panjanthaya daiva and the Stick, headgear (Muttale) of Koragathaniya Daiva in the safe custody of Maganathadi family.
In the seven adisthalas of Koragathaniya (Koragajja), 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 adisthalasof Koraga Taniya (Koragajja):
Since time immemorial, when there was a conflict between the village Daivas Panjanthaya Banta and Maleyali Chamundi of Kaniru Thota, Vaidyanatha daiva came forward to negotiate for compromise between them with the grace of lord Shri Somanatha .
Vaidyanatha daiva told Panjanthayadaiva to throw a silver ball which it was
holding. The silver ball thrown by Panjanthaya daiva from Bardekatta fell at
Kannadakere. When Maleyali Chamundi daiva threw its bronze ball from Bardekatta, it fell at Kedilaya Katte near Kaniru Thota . The place where the ball fell was decided by Vaidyanatha daivaas the boundary place of Maleyali Chamundidaiva. Panjanthaya Banta Daivas promised Vaidyanatha daiva
which has solved the conflict, to give service in their sirimudi. 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 Panjanthaya Banta
and Vaidyanatha Daivas. As per the direction of Panjanthaya daiva, two kola
festivals are offered to Koragathaniya Daiva, on behalf of the village ,at two
adisthalas [1.Dekkadu Manjapalthamannu 2.Swamisthala (Someshwara).] In the remaining five adisthalas, ‘kolas’ (festivals) are performed by the Family authority, and then the ‘kolas’ (festivals) of vow by the villagers can be performed. In adisthala Someshwara, one ‘kola’ (festival) is performed by the contribution of the villagers. This is the tradition followed from age old days.
For Koragathaniya Daiva, in olden days people used to fulfil their vows by
serving food on a plantain leaf placed on a Winnowing Pan (sammana or agel). This kind of service of fulfilling the vow can be done anywhere. There is no custom of offering ‘agel’ in any of the adisthalas of Koragathaniya . There is no customary restriction of place or locality for conducting this ritual.