Dravidian Gods in Modern Hinduism 21 



going to the house of the head man of the shepherd caste, they 

 spread leaf-plates and make an offering of food. The asadi 

 summons all the elders to witness, calling each one by name, and 

 publicly announces the various vows made to Poleramma. A sheep 

 is then sacrificed to seal the promises made in the vows. Once 

 again the procession forms and the pot is carried around the 

 village, food being collected at each house. The asadi chants 

 the stories of the gods as they go, telling of their various wars 

 and exploits, in order to arouse the people to take a proper part 

 in the worship. After collecting the food the procession goes 

 outside the village to the temple of Poleramma. The temple is 

 purified with various ceremonies, Poleramma is bathed, and the 

 pot of food and some oflferings are placed before her. 



The procession now forms anew and goes to the water, a well 

 or irrigation tank, where the royal stafif and the snake's hood^ have 

 been kept in water over night. These are taken from the water, 

 and carried to the temple, after a sheep has been offered. After 

 placing the royal staff and snake's hood beside Poleramma in the 

 temple another sheep is offered, and this usually completes the 

 ceremonies of the first day. 



On the second day there are still more processions about the 

 village, and food is offered in front of the house of another shep- 

 herd. A sheep is sacrificed, and story telling continues as on the 

 first day. The third day they start the procession earlier, and 

 more food is collected. Those who collect the food eat it them- 

 selves, after offering it to the goddess, so this part of the cere- 

 monies is not neglected. In the afternoon all the people leave 

 their houses, and going to some suitable spot outside the village 

 near the temple of Poleramma, they cook food, and eat it after 

 offering it to Poleramma. 



The merry-making part of the festival now takes place. The 

 villagers bring their carts and oxen, the carts being gaily decorated 

 for the occasion, and form a procession to go around the temple. 

 Some people, especially children, ride in the carts and think this 

 is great sport. There is a definite order for the carts, according 

 to the wealth of the owner, and his standing in the community. 



8 For meaning of these emblems see page 84. 



21 



