MARIYAMMA
Mariyamma is the incarnation of the Mother Goddess. The shrines at Kaup and Suratkal are more famous for elaboration worship and ritual formalities and festivities Offerings are made every week to alter which is in the form of a risked platform. Special festivals are arranged periodically. Three annual festivals known as maari puuje are celebrated at Kaup. One week before the festival a sheep is selected for sacrifice. A tree is cut in a forest and an idol of Mariyamma is carved. It is ceremoniously brought and installed in the alter in preceding midnight. A sword is given in the left hand of the idol. The sheep is sacrificed in front of the idol in a room known as maatangi altar. The people belonging the scheduled castes take prominent role in the ceremony. Certain Brahminical forms of the worship are also arranged. There is possession and oracle by the impersonator known as darshana paatri. However there is neither elaborate make-up and head-gear nor posse cession dance as is the case with the Koolas of other spirits. Violent shivering and movement of the body to the accompaniment of frenzied tune of the piper drives the impersonator into ecstasy to enable him to identify with the spirits. This is similar to the possession and oracle observed in the case of naaga paatri or berma patri {the impersonator serpent spirit and bermeru}.
Maari as the controller of epidemics is worshipped in every village to ward off small-pox and other diseases.