The Basavaraju's Family Legacy

The Era of Beginnings

Shri Bahuddure Gowda stood as the majestic cornerstone of the Siddapura lineage — a noble farmer-king whose wisdom and strength shaped the destiny of his clan. In the twilight of the 1800s, he reigned not with a crown but with compassion — commanding vast fields of rice, wheat, ragi, and coconut that stretched across the lands of Siddapura. His stewardship turned soil into prosperity and labor into legacy. Riding upon his black horse, he was both protector and patriarch — a figure of dignity whose discipline, devotion, and generosity became the living code of the generations that followed.

The Reign of the Gudi-Gowda

Shri Mayanna Gowda, the noble heir of Bahuddure Gowda, carried forward the royal spirit of the Siddapura soil. Though he divided the ancestral lands with his brothers, destiny crowned him as the Gudi-Gowda — the chieftain and guardian of Siddapura. Like his father, he ruled not by decree but by dignity. His words held the weight of fairness; his presence commanded respect. Mounted upon his proud horse, he patrolled the fields and pathways that echoed his father's legacy. A man of faith, valor, and stewardship, Shri Mayanna Gowda nurtured the same golden acres of rice, ragi, wheat, and coconut that once flourished under Bahuddure Gowda's reign. He lived as a true son of the soil — a ruler without a crown, whose reign was marked by prosperity, reverence, and grace.

Family Diety (ಕುಲದೇವತೆ)

Shri Kalabhairaveshwara Temple dedicated to Lord Kalabhairava, a fierce form of Lord Shiva, located at the Adichunchanagiri Hills in Karnataka. This temple is the Kshetra Palaka (guardian deity) of the Adichunchanagiri Mahasamsthana Math and is known for its unique stone architecture and association with the "vahanas" (vehicles) of the deity, particularly dogs.

Family Diety (ಕುಲದೇವತೆ)

Nestled in the heart of Mandya District, the ancient Shri Mayamma Temple stands as a divine symbol of faith and lineage. The sacred stone form of Goddess Mayamma Devi is not carved by human hands — it is an emergent idol, risen naturally from the earth, radiating timeless sanctity.

For generations, this temple has been the Kula Daivatha — the ancestral deity — of countless Gowda families across Mandya. The noble family of Shri Bahuddure Gowda too trace their divine guardianship to this revered shrine, finding in Mayamma Devi the eternal source of their strength, grace, and protection.

Shri Honnadevi — The Guardian Goddess of Siddapura (ಗ್ರಾಮದೇವತೆ)

Shri Honnadevi is revered as the Gramadevatha, the divine guardian and protector spirit of the village of Siddapura. It is believed that the Goddess journeyed from the ancient and holy land of Shivagange, in Tumkur District, and chose Siddapura as her eternal abode — blessing and safeguarding the village ever since.

Each year, the village celebrates a grand Jathre (festival) in her honor — a sacred observance that spans five days, beginning on Tuesday and concluding on Saturday. The festival is marked by the solemn Kambha ritual, which commences fifteen days prior to the Jathre. Once the Kambha begins, it is a time of purity and devotion — no villager consumes non-vegetarian food or eggs until the ritual is complete. In deep respect to the Goddess, all butcher shops remain closed, and even bakeries cease using eggs during this sacred period.

On the final evening, as the Kambha concludes, the air fills with reverence, relief, and celebration — a timeless reminder of faith, discipline, and the spiritual unity of Siddapura under the divine guardianship of Shri Honnadevi.

Shri Maramma Devi — The Protector Spirit of Siddapura (ಗ್ರಾಮದೇವತೆ)

Once every year, the people of Siddapura come together to honor Shri Maramma Devi, the revered Gramadevatha and guardian of the village's spirit and prosperity. As a sacred act of gratitude, prayers are offered to the Goddess for her continued protection over the land and its people. The traditional ritual involves the sacrifice of goats and chickens, whose offerings are then prepared and shared as prasada, symbolizing the blessings of Maramma Devi.

This ancient festival, held during the summer season, reflects both faith and community — a celebration of devotion, unity, and ancestral tradition.

For generations, the family of Shri Basavaraju has upheld this sacred custom, performing the offering in their coconut plantation lands, just as their forefathers did. It remains a living link between the past and the present — a testament to enduring faith and the timeless guardianship of Goddess Maramma Devi.