Karkala: First Phase of Koti-Chennaya Theme Park Set for Inauguration

Daijiworld Media Network – Karkala (SP)
With Pics and Inputs from Udayavani

Karkala, Dec 8: The first phase of Koti-Chennaya Theme Park, coming up in a 98 acre plot near the taluk stadium, about five km away from the town, is ready. The park, which aims at paying tributes to the these valiant heroes, who have left a lasting imprint on the history and folklore of Tulunadu, is expected to be inaugurated on December 25 by Chief Minister, D V Sadananda Gowda.

Koti and Chennaya are legendary brothers of Tulunadu, who stayed together in life and in death. They always stood for truth, justice, loyalty and courage, and revolted against tyrants. Because of their courage, conviction, and sympathy towards the downtrodden, Koti and Chennaya have been elevated to the level of divine entities. Their stories are preserved in the form of folklore, paddanas, Garodis, etc.

The main door, model Garodi and museum have already been constructed in the theme park. Close attention has been given to ensure that the park looks like it has come alive from folklore. An enclosure has been built at an elevated spot on the south-eastern corner of the park for the installation of the beautifully carved ten-feet high statues of Koti and Chennaya. Art forms carved over the wall surfaces out of cement tell the visitors the stories of the birth, life, achievements, and death of the two heroes. They also depict Tulu cultural observations like puja of serpent god, Kola, Nema, festivals, Kambala, cockfight, etc and the traditional family professions like toddy tapping, fishing through fishing line, tilling, and other agricultural activities, lift irrigation, etc.

The theme park is the dream child of ‘Baidashree’, which was set up many years ago at Adi Udupi. Minister, V S Acharya, supported the dream of the organization. Damodar Kalmadi of ‘Baidhashree’ has thanked the people’s representatives and the government for helping the organization to realize its dream. The government has released a grant of one crore rupees for the park so far, and promised an additional Rs 50 lac.

The organization plans to build a farm of medicinal plants in the name of Deyi Baideti, mother of Koti-Chennaya, who happened to be a practitioner of native medicine, in 45 acres of land, and a Janapada University in the name of Koti-Chennaya in the remaining 27 acres of land.