Sorakayala Swami appeared in the village of Narayanavanam in 1875. Locals believed he was already over a hundred years old. Some said he came from a shepherd caste; others claimed he was born near Tirupati and spent years begging in Trivallur with a garuda on his hand, during which he developed the unusual psychic powers he later displayed. Because he carried dried bottle gourds tied to his shoulders, villagers called him “Sorakayala Swami” — the Bottle Gourd Swami.
Sorakayala Swami appeared in the village of Narayanavanam in 1875. Locals believed he was already over a hundred years old. Some said he came from a shepherd caste; others claimed he was born near Tirupati and spent years begging in Trivallur with a garuda on his hand, during which he developed the unusual psychic powers he later displayed. Because he carried dried bottle gourds tied to his shoulders, villagers called him “Sorakayala Swami” — the Bottle Gourd Swami.
