Dravidian Gods in Modern Hinduism 41 



and dancing. But the people soon leave the place, as the cere- 

 monies are not pleasant, and the dangers are many. 



As the worshipers return homeward they sacrifice another 

 goat about midway between the burial ground and the village, so 

 that in case Kati Ankamma is not satisfied she will stop for this 

 blood and not follow them into the village. When they come to 

 the house door still another goat is sacrificed, to be doubly secure. 

 The goat sacrificed in the burial ground is given to the story-tel- 

 ler; that sacrificed on the return journey is given to the washer- 

 man, who has assisted in the ceremonies ; and the owners of the 

 house eat the one sacrificed at the door. 



On the next day, in order to make certain that the household 

 gods have not been offended, they are again worshiped. The 

 story-teller comes and makes a sacred muggu in five colors before 

 the gods. Over this he spreads a sheet on which he makes offer- 

 ings of limes, cocoanuts, and various fruits. He sings some story 

 while the musicians keep up a terrible din outside to drive away 

 evil spirits, especially Kati Ankamma. Another goat is sacri- 

 ficed, and the worship comes to a close. 



Donga Sakti is the name of another of these terrible Saktis. 

 Donga means thief, and the fact that she is thought to come by 

 stealth and kill the cattle for her own benefit, probably accounts 

 for her name. The worship is at night, for she is believed to be 

 an enemy to gods and men ; circumstances which also may ac- 

 count for her sobriquet. 



The worship of Donga Sakti is a kind of last resort. After 

 the usual worship of the village goddess, if the trouble or disease 

 does not disappear, the villagers again consult the diviner. Then 

 the possession of Donga Sakti will come upon her and she will say, 

 " You have worshiped your own gods, but are they the only ones 

 that you should worship? You have thrown me away on the 

 boundaries and left me out in the rain, and so now I am bring- 

 ing these troubles upon you." The people hearing these words are 

 terrified, for Donga Sakti is a demoness not to be trifled with, and 

 money is at once raised for the worship. 



The ceremonies take place in the night and are concluded before 

 daylight. Women do not come near, as the danger from evil 



41 



