Thread by @KindsoulRitzS

#Thread

Koragajja
Is a very prominent deity for the people of Tulu Nadu in Karnataka. It is irreverent to say that the deity is a spirit of the Tulu Nadu region as he is the presiding deity for almost every Tulu household for whom life just does not go on without his blessings

Koragajja is believed to have taken an incarnation in the human form on earth at some point in time in Tulunadu history. Koraga, is a name given to a particular community, and ajja means grandfather, used mostly as a mark of love and respect to address the swami. He was born

Koraga Thaniya who lost his mother Maire when he was a 30-day-old infant. His father passed away soon after that.

Since he had virtually no one to fend for him, he left his home town and reached a place near Kallapu and spent some time there, eating sand as food, as he was

hungry. At that time, Bairakke Baidyedi, her children Manjakke and Chenniya set foot into this place, carrying a pot of toddy. Moved by Thaniya's state, Bairakke adopted him, and brought him up as her own son along with her other children, Thaniya grew up in challenging

circumstances.

The Koraga Thaniya's arrival to her family helped the family to prosper, and the family business to thrive successfully. Thaniya, along with the other family members learnt the art of basket making and creating bamboo articles using his hands. We can see this

during Koragajja Kola, the basket is usually hung on his shoulder during the Kola.

One day, a particular ritual was conducted in the village for Marlujumadi, Maisandaya, and Kinnikodangade Daivas, which were closely connected with Bairakke's family and it was the turn of the

Bairakke family to contribute tender coconuts, banana plants, coconut leaves to name a few. It required the strength of seven men to carry this to the temple. When no one, was found capable of doing this, Thaniya was asked to see if he can manage this task all on his own since

the task was of an extremely important nature.

Finally, he agreed upon one condition that he should be provided food that is enough for seven people, rice, curry made of 30 mackerel fish, and toddy. Relieved, Bairakke arranged the rest of the event as the problem had been solved

by Thaniya for them. Thaniya carried all the immense load of food on his own shoulders, whose superhuman feat baffled the onlookers who were overtaken by surprise, as well as respect for Thaniya.

Although Thaniya was able to carry it up to the temple, he was not allowed entry

inside as he belonged to a lower caste. When questioned about why he was being discriminated against, he was rebuffed and ignored. Unable to take this anymore, Koraga Thaniya, remembered something in this context and tried to climb the tree in the temple premises as it had a

fruit that is used for pickling but was unable to reach the fruit.
It was at that time that he stepped on the Kalasha of God in the temple in order to pluck the fruit. Koragajja Swami. 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.

Significance of Koragaajja: 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.

Credit to respective owners.
#tulunadu