Koti and Chennayya (Tulu: ಕೋಟಿ ಚೆನ್ನಯ್ಯ Kōṭi Cennayya,) (Circa 1556 A.D to 1591 A.D.)[1] are legendary Tuluva twin heroes characterized in the Tulu epic of the same name, which is considered one of the two truly long epic in Tulu language. The birthplace of Koti and Chennaya is Padumale in Puttur taluk, Dakshina Kannada.[2] The story of these heroes may be taken to roughly five hundred years back, when reference to Ballads were made in the Tulu Padana. Koti and Chennayya were born to the Deyi Baidethi of the Daivashakthi people of Tulu Nadu. Owing to the brothers heroic deeds, they are worshipped and remembered as protectors. They died in combat near Yenmoor. Memorial temples called garadi "gymnasiums" have been built in the name of Koti and Chennayya all over Tulu Nadu.[3][better source needed]
