Legend
The history of Thodaru Shri Kshetra Kodamanithaya is an extremely curious legend.
The prosperous land of Tulunadu was dominantly inhabited by the Jain community in history, who administered the land alongside upholding the rituals such as Bhootaradhane. A historic document notes that one of the days in times like this, a joint Jain family in Karkala split up owing to internal reasons, and Devu Balipa from the Balipaguttu household chose renunciation of his family identity. When that happened, a person named Ugga Adupa, who took care of Bhootaradhane rituals in that household, also accompanied Devu Balipa.
As they strode across a few villages having left home, they plucked a few tender coconuts in order to quench their thirsts under the scorching sun. They walked towards Moodubidre, the town that is today popularly recognised as Jaina Kashi (pilgrimage for Jains). By evening that day, they happened to reach Neralakatte located close to current-day Thodar. What they encountered on reaching the place was nothing but deep forests consisting thorny bushes, recognised as Baakimaaru. They decided that they could not move, and rested for the day.
Legend says that when they were just about to consume the tender coconuts that they had brought along, the spirit of Kodamanithaya embodies Ugga Adupa. Shaken by the sudden outburst of his partner, Devu Balipa tries to escape the spot; which the spirit does not let happen by setting up the thorny bushes on fire. The spirit presents itself as a symbol of light over a place called Gaali Gudde – with pagel jeetige, (natively and religiously recognised form of a fire torch), pagel suttige (natively and religiously recognised form of a weapon) and a pair of tender coconuts. Later, the spirit speaks through Ugga Adupa, stating that it had accompanied Devu Balipa from Balipaguttu itself, and it must be now established at Thodar – the place that it saw as a symbol of light.
Devu Balipa narrates the event to the villagers the next day and eventually constructs the Thodaru Guttu at the same place. The place that Kodamanithaya had recognised as the symbol of light, Gaali Gudde, became the spot for the consecration of the spirit, which is worshipped till date. It was later decided that the spirit must be acknowledged with a right spot for worship, which was constructed at Nadyodi, a space owned by Marakada Jains. Through this legend, Kodamanithaya till date is the ruling deity of a village that knew neither God nor the spirit. Kodamanithaya is the all consuming and all giving force of the area.