By John B Monteiro

Nov 22: For over a century of its existence Baidarkala Garadi, a stone’s throw away from Pumpwell Circle (now Mahavir Circle), has had a low profile existence except in January when Shri Brahma Baidarkala Garadi Kshetra (to use its full title), which hosts Koti-Chennaya, celebrates its annual festival. But this year its name is in media focus as report on a low intensity explosion (dubbed “cooker bomb” in the media coverage) in an auto on the evening of November 19, 2022 included reference to “Garadi”. So, since this low-profile Kshetra will be in media focus, a background note on it is relevant and timely. I have tracked it dating back to over two decades. This once low-profile complex has now been transformed into an impressive kshetra wearing a brand-new look, thanks to extensive additions and renovations. But, the “cooker bomb” explosion has added a new dimension to Garadi’s history just by it being mentioned in media reports.

It is notable that the main deities of Garadi are twin brothers of the Billava community, named Koti and Chennaya. Their heroic deeds are legendary and have been retold in Tulu Nadu homes for generations after their untimely and tragic death in 1629 – at the age of 33. These fearless warrior brothers were first under the patronage of King Perumala Ballal of Padumale. There they killed the king’s minister, Budyantha, who had almost usurped the powers of the king and was plotting to destroy them. They had to leave Perumala’s kingdom and go to the neighbouring kingdom of Panja, ruled by Kemara Ballala. Perumala and Kemara conspired to trap Koti-Chennaya, who were next welcomed into the neighbouring kingdom of Yennamuru, ruled by Deva Ballala. He incurred the wrath of the kings Perumala and Kemara for harbouring Koti-Chennaya, leading to a war between Yennamuru on one side and Padumale and Panja on the other. The army of Yennamuru, led by Koti-Chennaya, nearly won against the larger forces of the opposing kingdoms, but Koti was felled by an arrow shot by Perumala who was hiding behind a tree. Koti chided Perumala for the cowardly act before dying of the wound. On seeing his brother dead, Chennaya hit his head against a rock and took his own life.

These legendary warriors have been worshipped by the Billava community ever since. There is a garadi built for them in Yennamuru and over 230 others all over Tulu Nadu. The garadi at Kankanady has a history going back to over a century. Its origin is traced to five gentlemen from Kankanady, Maroli, Bajal, Alape and Jeppu going to Mijaru Garadi to attend the nema there. They wanted to establish a garadi for the five villages. Accordingly, when they returned from Mijaru, along with the prasad, they also brought with them loose earth. As they were walking back, they sensed two sturdy youngsters following them. The following day, they found that the boiled paddy kept for processing into raw rice had sprouted. Surprised by this, they consulted the astrologer and bhoota who confirmed that the two youngsters following them on their return journey from Mijaru had indeed been Koti-Chennaya. They first established the site for worship at Petlanpet (now renamed Gandhinagar). Then they got a divine message that there was a deity of Suryanarayana in Kankanady village where, among thorny bushes and rocks, cows and tigers play with each other and that the garadi should be built there and this was done.

Incidentally, a statue of Gandhiji is installed and worshipped in this complex.