Koragajja Temple hosts one of the most sacred and sought-after spirits in the Tulunadu region. He is believed to be powerful and widely worshipped. He is called by several other names as we proceed from south towards north. But in Mangalore, he is popularly called Swami.

Anything which is lost, any work to be done, or any issue to be solved; first and foremost, people recall this divine 'Koragajja.' Koraga Thaniya is a historical figure and not a mythical creation. Dravidians of India worship their ancestors, who did extraordinary things for the greater good of their community. Due to this they were recognized and worshipped by their later descendants. 

Koraga thaniya who is popularly called koragajja. Here "Koraga" is the community name and "Ajja" is the word in the Tulu language usually used for old male citizens. Even though he attained divinity during his middle age; people started calling him "Ajja"  because of his love and affection towards him. 

People of Tulunadu worship spirits, the same as how people worship different forms of Gods. The concept of idol worship wasn’t in existence until recent years, so the people in Tulunadu believed in spirits. Tulunadu has a tradition of Spirit worship possibly dating back to 700-800 BC coinciding with the immigration of the Early Tulu tribes who introduced the initial cults of Bermer and Panjurli. These spirits are considered the savior of the community and they are worshiped as the ultimate deity in Dakshin Kannada, Udupi, and Kasaragod district, which is considered Tulunadu as a whole. These spirits are known as Daiva (in Tulu and Kannada) & gods are called Dever ( in Tulu). Daivas are a bit different from the gods we worship. Daivasthanas are the places of worship for these daivas in Tulunadu.

Bootha Kola also known as the worship of Daivas or Demi-Gods is performed annually in daivasthanas. These bootha Kolas are generally performed by professionals who basically belong to the lower castes of society. It is believed that during Kola, for a fraction of a second, the real Daiva’s Spirit comes into the person performing it and they predict or can foresee the future. They are worshiped with utmost respect and dignity by the entire Tulu community. 

Daivas are of utmost sincerity in fulfilling the prayers but at the same time, they should be worshipped and treated with the utmost care and respect. Their wrath is meant to be very dangerous if they get hurt in any way. On the other hand, they will protect and bless the place and people where they are worshipped and honored. In such a big set of spirits, Koragajja is considered one of the most sacred and sought spirits in and around Mangalore.

Folksongs are the major sources for the legends surrounding Swami's miracles and his grace. As the songs or pardanas are orally passed down to succeeding generations, the stories, are very likely a bit distorted in the process. Some portions of the story are found missing; probably it reflects on how evolved the generations were, culturally and on their general worldview.

There are people, who for obtaining Swami's blessings, offer the Kola festival which is a traditional cultural event celebrated in order to appease Koragajja. This is actually done annually for the total well-being of the Tulu community. There are songs dedicated to Koragajja that are dedicated to him during ritualistic observances.

Koraga Thaniya (Koragajja)

Koraga Thaniya lost his mother Maire when he was 30 days infant. He even lost his father during his childhood. There was no one to look after him.  So, He left his hometown and started his journey toward the South. Near Kallapu, he sits under the tree where hundreds of people were passing by. Due to hunger, he started assuming that he eats white sand as rice, He consumed Careya arborea (Wild guava) as a coconut. He used to cry sometimes and sometimes laugh because of his loneliness.

At that time, a woman named Bairakke Baidyedi, with her daughter Athu Baidyedi and her brother Chenniya was passing through this place carrying toddy (kali) in the pot. They observed the behavior and actions of Thaniya and came closer to him. The Child ran away and hid behind the fence. Bairakke Baidyedi requested the boy to leave the fence and allow them to go. But Koraga Thaniya told that “he doesn't have clothes on his waist, so he refused to leave the fence”.

So, Bairakke Baidyedi took off the cloth that was tied to the pot and gave it to Taniya to put on his waist. He tied the cloth to his waist and began crying loudly with sorrow. Bairakke felt compassion for Thaniya, and she started enquiring about him. Thaniya started telling his story and stated that he had lost both his parents and even the members of his community; there was no one to look after him. So, He decided to go to the places where there is plenty of work to do and plenty to eat”.

Bairakke Baidyedi tells Thaniya to come along with her. She promised to look after him like her own son. Thaniya agreed and decided to go along with her. 

Bairakke Lovingly nourished him like a son. After Thaniya 's arrival at their home, the house was filled with money, and their toddy business started to improve. Koraga Thaniya excelled in the work of  Basketry. 

It was the day when the Nema was organized For Marlujumadi, Maisandaya, lekkesiri, and Kinnikodangade Daivas, which was associated with Bairakke's family. Coconut leaves, tender coconuts, and banana plants had been allocated for this event from Bairakke’s house. Things were so heavy that, it needs to be lifted by at least 7 people. But there was no one to take these things from Ansuru Barike (Bairakke’s house).

 Bairakke Baidyedi requested Thaniya to carry them to the temple. Thaniya decided to lift the things alone which were supposed to be lifted by 7 people. But he demanded to serve him a meal of 7 people. (It had toddy, rice, and the curry of 30 mackerel fish). Bairakke happily agreed to his demand.

After eating, Thaniya raised the stuff alone that was supposed to be lifted by seven people. he walked down the yard; looked back and he began to weep. He emotionally told Bairakke, "You have been nourishing me just like my mother, don't expect me to come back. One who went showing his back today might not return ever again showing his stomach."

Bairakke tells that “son, from the day you are with us; we had good fortune. if you do not want to lift those items. Keep it down”.

Thaniya replied that “the promise which is given by me will not be taken back, just like that; burden which I lifted will not be kept down”.

He started his journey toward the temple.

The Chief of the temple noticed Thaniya bringing things from a far distance.

 He orders Thaniya to keep the thing near the temple and told him to stay away from the temple strain.

 Thaniya felt bad about this behavior. He questioned the chief, “things which were brought by me was useful, but not me? Instead, you made me stand far because I belong to lower community”.

Thaniya’s words were ignored by everyone present there.

Thaniya quietly went and stood near the temple’s strain and started to see up. He noticed the branches filled with fruits that are used for pickling. He recalled the words told by his mother to him that; the pickle is empty in the house. Thaniya decided to pluck the fruits for his mother. 

He climbed and kept his foot on the temple’s strain. Still, he was unable to reach the branch. So, he kept one more foot on the temple’s kalasha. Koraga Thaniya is supposed to have attained salvation then and there, by pleasing God in the temple. At this time, a miracle happened and Thaniya was absorbed by the deity and merged with the main idol, attaining divinity. Miracles have been happening in every devotee's household that worships.

From then Thaniya attained divinity.

Later, he was worshipped as Koragajja/neecha Daiva throughout Tulu Nadu (the death of Koraga Thaniya is not clear. It might be possible that people might have killed him because he went upon the temple’s strain adding to it; he belongs to a lower community. Or it might be also possible that he might have slipped and fell, while plucking fruit from the branch. Since, pardana’s are not in written format, people started to modify them depending upon their convenience. Due to this reason, his later descendent started to tell that he was vanished by the grace of god.)

One day, Arasu daiva came to sarlapatta (kuthar) and they wanted to occupy their position in that place. Panjanthaya Daiva was worried about this. Because; if in case Arasu Daiva takes their position is sarlapatta the position of Panjanthya Daiva will not remain the same. So, he requested Koragajja to chase them away from coming to this place. Since Arasu Daiva are usually offered vegetarian food. During their entry into the place; Koragajja killed cow (kubalthi petha) on their way. Due to this Arasu daiva might get impure if they touch it; so, they had to leave that place. Panjanthaya was happy from koragajja strategy. so he blessed that thereafter Koragajja will be worshipped in 7 different stones in different places ( Manja, Bolya, Agela, Ujjila, Tala, Derlakkatte, Someshwara) and given him sarlapatta.

Koragajja Temple offerings

Even though Koragajja was born in one community. He was nourished by Bairakke Braided who was into the (kali) toddy business. She often gave Thaniya to drink this wine. Due to this people started to offer palm wine to Koragajja. But this was later exchanged for other alcoholic drinks.

When people are in difficult situations in family, health or business, or have lost something valuable, or some work is taking a long time to complete, they pray to Swami. An offering is promised when the wish is fulfilled. The usual offerings are country wine (alcohol), betel nut (Beeda), chakkuli (a snack also called murukku in other parts of India). These offerings are considered Swami’s favorite.

There are many real-life incidents where people have prayed to Koragajja images and their prayers have been answered. These Koragajja miracles have made people increase their belief as his existence is a constant source of inspiration. There are people who offer Kola (a cultural and traditional extravaganza to please the spirit for his blessings) as an offering that is done annually for the well-being of the community. There are special Koragajja songs traditionally dedicated to him as part of the rituals.

Women were prohibited from attending Koragajja Kola 

In the early days, women were prohibited from attending Kolas or the main pujas offered to Swami. This is because the person who is the medium for the spirit is sparsely clothed with palm leaves at the waist. The person dances to the drum beats while listening to Pardanas containing his glorification. Also, the event is held in dim lights with alcohol offerings. Hence woman folk was prohibited from attending the Kola.

Swami Koragajja’s instant justice- Raheem, and Taufiq were arrested for their heinous act

Swami Koragajja is considered the most powerful and sacred local deity in Mangaluru. Koragajja is known for instant justice and fulfills the wishes of the bhakts. Koragajja is also seen as the avatar of Bhagwan Shiva.

Raheem, Taufiq, and Nawaz tried to play with this belief. They urinated inside the temple and put condoms in the Hundi Box of Mangaluru’s local deity Swami Koragajja. People lodged complaints with the Police. However, the Police could not track them. The incident happened not in one Temple, but in many.

Tired of these incidents, the devotees asked Swami Koragajja himself to locate the culprits and punish them. Soon, Raheem, and Taufiq came to the temple and confessed to the priest. This was because their accomplice Nawaz who had put a condom in Hundi's box started acting insane and vomited blood and had dysentery. He finally died by banging his head on the wall in his house. While dying he even told, Koragajja is angry with us. Nawaz’s demise was mysterious.

“Accused Raheem and Taufiq were in touch with the priest of a Koragajja Katte located at Yemmekere ground to confess their mistake. They were called during the ‘Nemotsava’ where they confessed about involving in the heinous act,” the police commissioner added.

“One more accused named Nawaz, who is the common friend of the other two accused, had come back from Dubai one and half years ago. In the last couple of months, he suffered severe health issues and passed away. Recently, the devotees carried out a walkathon from Kadri temple to Kutthar Koragajja Katte. Later, Taufiq also faced severe health issues like Nawaz. Out of fear, they decided to confess. Raheem and Taufiq used to accompany Nawaz to the Koragajja Katte to drop objectionable items in the offering box,” the police commissioner clarified.

“The objective behind the act is not yet known. We are probing it. As per the primary investigation, they have committed the act in three places. The modus operandi looks similar. We need to verify the handwritten content as well. Both the accused voluntarily contacted the priest to confess,” the police commissioner said.

Swamy Koragajja Temple: Significance

When people are embroiled in difficulties with respect to family, health or business, or if something valuable is lost, or some task is taking longer than usual to complete, Swami will resolve it by just hearing their prayers. When the wish is granted by Koragajja, the people offer something in gratitude to Swami. There are countless miracles of Swami that have every time, proved Swami's existence in the lives of the Tulu people. People are inspired to carry on with daily life, despite the problems that it brings, due to the constant miraculous help and guidance that is offered by Koragajja. Annadhan (donating food for those in need), marriage, ear piercing, head shaving, danaas or charity, and provide facilities for education in Koragajjas name and conduct many social drives in this regard.

References:

mangaloreheritage.com
arisebharat.com
boldsky.com