Divinity Of Tulunadu
What is a Daiva?
Daivas are local folk deities who are venerated in the Tulu
Nadu region of southern Karnataka and parts of Kerala. Also known as Bhutas or
spirits, their worship probably goes back to the pre-Vedic times, although
there is no conclusive research on exactly when their worship began. In
Hinduism, deities are classified based on their patronage. Kuladevta belongs to
a clan, gramdevta belongs to a village community, while ishta-devta is
cherished by individuals. Daivas, on the other hand, are considered
kshetrapalas, or guardian deities of a particular land. They are traditionally
worshipped in the open and belong to a distinct folk tradition that is still a
part of mainstream Hinduism. The worship of Daivas is an integral part of the
Bhoota Kola festival, which is held in their honour. During this festival, a
dance performer impersonates the spirit and is believed to be possessed by the
deity. The festival is performed in front of the daiva's abode, which is often
a shrine or a tree under which the Daivas was initially worshipped. Some of the
more popular Bhutas or Daivas are Panjurli, Bobbarya, Pilipoota, Kalkuda,
Kalburti, Pilichamundi, Guliga, and Koti Chennaya. These deities were initially
worshipped as unstructured stones kept under a tree in an open space. However,
over time, idols began to be used for Daiva worship. Overall, the worship of Daivas
is an essential part of the cultural heritage of the Tulu Nadu region and parts
of Kerala, and it continues to be an integral part of people's lives in these
regions.
The movie "Kantara" narrates a fascinating tale of two deities, Panjurli and Guliga, who are revered by the people of a small village. The legend of Panjurli, one of the deities, has been passed down from generation to generation through oral traditions. According to the story, a wild boar had died in the garden of Shiva and Parvati, and its young one was adopted by Parvati. However, the young boar grew up to be very destructive, and Shiva decided to kill it. Parvati, who loved the boar, pleaded with Shiva not to harm it. Lord Shiva banished the wild boar to earth, and it became a spirit known as Panjurli. The locals worshipped Panjurli and offered tributes to it, believing it to be a protector of the village and its inhabitants. This myth reflects the assimilation of a local cult into Shaivism, a major tradition within Hinduism. The story of Guliga, the other deity, is equally fascinating. According to the legend, Guliga was born from a stone that Parvati found in a pile of ash. When Shiva threw the stone into the water, it gave birth to Guliga. However, Guliga's destructive nature caused Vishnu to curse him to earth, where he became a spirit. Panjurli and Guliga, two powerful spirits, fought over the same land and engaged in a fierce battle. However, their conflict was resolved when goddess Durga intervened and brokered a truce between them. Surprisingly, Guliga became a close companion and even a worshipper of Panjurli. Hence, the two deities are now worshipped together. This represents the union of two local cults and their integration into the larger framework of Hinduism.
The Bhoota Kola Festival
The Bhoota Kola festival is a significant event in the Tulu culture, celebrated
annually between December to May. This festival involves the worship of Daiva
or Bhuta, a spirit believed to reside in the holy land. During the festival, a
performer dresses up in a costume and make-up to impersonate the spirit and
dances in a trance, believed to be possessed by the spirit. As the spirit, the
performer acts like an oracle, offering solutions to people's problems,
resolving their disputes and predicting their future.The festival draws locals
from various castes and communities, who come together to perform specific
roles during the ceremony. The festival is held in a sacred grove known as
Kola, surrounded by trees and plants, and believed to be inhabited by spirits.
The festival is a celebration of the bond between humans and spirits, and the
performers aim to please the spirits by offering them food, drink, and other
offerings. The Bhoota Kola festival has had a significant influence on the popular
art form of Yakshagana. Yakshagana is a traditional dance-drama form that
combines dance, music, and dialogue to tell the story. The Bhoota Kola festival
is believed to have been one of the sources of inspiration for Yakshagana.
Recently, the release of the movie Kantara has generated
significant interest in the worship of Daivas and other related folk
traditions. The movie showcases the Bhoota Kola festival and the significance
of the Daiva worship in Tulu culture. It is hoped that this renewed interest
will lead to greater awareness and appreciation of local deities and their
traditions across India and beyond.
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