Siri

Siri was born in an arecafold by the grace of Lord Bermeru. God appeared in front of a age old ruler Bermer Alvaru in the guise of a Brahmin and the ruler demanded charity. God wanted him to go to his ancestors place and asked him to renovate the old ruined temple of the 'Bermeru' at Nidgallu(Beltangady Taluk) (This place is famous for the 'Siri' festival which takes place every year). The main deity is called 'Lokanatha'. When 'Siri' was born the child was brought up by Bermer Alveru. When she grew up, Bermer Alvaru got her married to his sister's son Shankar Alvar. As dowry he gave all his properties and the right to royal succession. When Siri was expecting the seventh month, ceremony 'bayake' was conducted in her husbands house. It is a custom to honour the expecting mother by her husband by giving her a saree. Accordingly he brings a new 'saree' on the way he meets his mistress who wears the new saree and gives back. This 'saree' is presented to Siri at the ceremony, but she realises that it has already been worn by somebody and rejects it. After this incident Siri returns back to her maternal home and gives birth to a boy baby 'Kumara'. Her husband failed to attend the birth ceremony or naming ceremony. According to the epic 'Bermer Alveru' dies after the child birth it is said that Bermer Alveru could not touch the new born child, as death would be fall Bermer Alveru by curse or fate. Siri informs about the death to her husband and asks him to do the funeral duties as it is the custom. Shankar Alvar refuses to attend the funeral duties so Siri does all the funeral duties. Shankar Alvar got angry and forced her to leave the place. Siri takes her child along with her maid 'Sagamallaponnu'. She curses, and wishes the entire palace is burnt, except the place where her child's cradle is kept. Accordingly the whole palace turned in to ashes except the cradle place. She goes to 'Bola' and 'Belman' forests. In the forest she is invited by the 'Boola' kings to their palace. For her better future she makes her maid and son disappear from the earth. Later she gets married and gives birth to twins called 'Sonne' and 'Ginde'. According to the myth 'Siri' is believed to have strong power of transformation. Hence, women consider it as honour to be possessed by "Siri" during the Siri festival. This they consider as a kind of faith healing.