Parnda Guthu — The Legendary Heritage of Barya Village


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Parnda Guthu

Parnda Guthu is a historic ancestral house located in Barya village, Belthangady Taluk, Karnataka. It belongs to the Billava community and holds a significant place in the cultural and spiritual history of Tulu Nadu.

History

The golden era of Parnda Guthu shines through the memory of a great ancestor named Kartha, about six generations ago.
Kartha was a legendary leader, closely associated with regional kings, and was regarded with great respect and fear.

Under Kartha’s leadership:

The estate flourished to over 250 acres of rich agricultural land.

The house managed 50+ cows, 40 bulls, and 2–3 pairs of buffaloes specially kept for the Kambala festival (buffalo race of Tulu Nadu).

More than 50 permanent workers (known as “Mula Kalasadakele” in Tulu) served the estate.

10+ guns were maintained for estate security.

Separate personal bodyguards were appointed for Kartha — strong and trusted men who protected him personally because of his close relationship with the king and his powerful status.


Thus, Parnda Guthu during Kartha’s time became not only an economic powerhouse but also a symbol of prestige and authority in the region.

Religious and Spiritual Significance

Kartha was a deeply spiritual leader, having achieved Patti (religious siddhi) through devotion to Daivas (guardian spirits).
Even today, during Bhoota Kola ceremonies, his name is respectfully invoked as a symbol of divine favor and leadership.

The Parnda Guthu estate is spiritually guarded by powerful deities, including:

Raktheshwari Daiva

Maisandya Daiva

Sacred Naga spirits
worshiped in the ancient sacred grove (Bhāna) within the estate.


The Legend of the Hidden Treasure (Nāle Kaitā Kopariga)

One of the most remarkable spiritual events associated with Parnda Guthu is the protection of the Nāle Kaitā Kopariga — a hidden treasure believed to lie in the Raktheshwari-Maisandya-Naga Bhāna.

According to tradition:

Robbers once attempted to steal the hidden treasure by using black magic.

On that critical night, the deity Maisandya Daiva directly called out to Kartha:

> “Kartha, e jivade ulla na ejja na! Mulu kalevare kopariga okkondu ullare.”
(“Kartha, are you alive or dead? Robbers are trying to steal the treasure!”)



Immediately upon hearing the divine call, Kartha and his family, along with the bodyguards armed with guns, rushed to the Bhāna.

The robbers, sensing the power of the divine and seeing the armed force, fled the place, leaving behind the black magic materials.


This sacred incident shows the living connection between the divine world and the Kartha family, a bond that continues to this day.

Legacy

Parnda Guthu today stands as:

A monument of historical greatness,

A center of spiritual power,

A proud symbol of the heritage of the Billava community and the broader Tulu Nadu culture.


The descendants of Kartha continue to preserve the estate’s traditions, sacred sites, and rich legacy