Daiva Kola is a powerful and ancient ritual tradition of coastal Karnataka, especially practiced in Tulu Nadu (Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and parts of Kasaragod). It is deeply rooted in local belief systems, community life, and ancestor worship.
Daiva Kola is a spirit worship ritual, where local guardian spirits—called Daivas or Bhootas—are invoked. These spirits are believed to protect villages, families, land, and social order. During the ritual, a trained performer enters a trance, believed to be possessed by the Daiva, and speaks, blesses, warns, or settles disputes on behalf of the spirit.
The performance is highly dramatic and symbolic. The impersonator wears elaborate traditional costumes, striking face paint, heavy ornaments, and towering headgear made of palm leaves or metal. Ritual drums like the chende, maddale, and taase create an intense rhythm that builds the spiritual atmosphere.
Daiva Kola is not just religious—it also serves a social and moral function. Villagers approach the Daiva with personal problems, land issues, family conflicts, and vows. The words spoken during the trance are treated as divine justice and guidance.
The ritual usually takes place at shrines (Bhoota Sthanas) or ancestral homes and is performed annually or on special occasions, often lasting through the night. Famous Daivas include Panjurli, Guliga, Koti-Chennaya, Jumadi, and Ullalthi.
Overall, Daiva Kola is a living tradition that blends faith, folklore, theatre, music, and community governance, reflecting the soul of Tulu culture and its deep respect for nature, ancestors, and unseen forces.
