2 Wilher Theodore Elmore 



CONTENTS 



Introduction 4 



A neglected branch of Hinduism. Difficulties in securing informa- 

 tion about Dravidian worship. The method of this thesis. 



CHAPTER I 



The Conquest of the Dravidians 8 



Origin of the Dravidians. The present Dravidians in South 

 India. Dravidians in the Rigveda. Political conquest of the 

 Dravidians. Absorption of the Dravidian religion by Hinduism. 



CHAPTER II 



General Features of Dravidian Worship 15 



Worship of Hindu gods. Dravidian temples and idols. Character- 

 istics of Dravidian gods. Their local origin. Bloody offerings to 

 them. Female deities. 



CHAPTER in 



The Seven Sisters 18 



Who are the Seven Sisters? Poleramma; her temple; ceremonies 

 in case of smallpox. General worship of Poleramma. Her con- 

 nection with Potu Razu. Ankamma ; cruel features in her worship. 

 Muthyalamma. Her worship as a village deity. Dilli Polasi. 

 Her worship as a household goddess. Her public worship. Ban- 

 garamma ; variations in her worship. Mathamma and Matangi. 

 Mathamma as a Madiga deity. Choosing a Matangi. Ceremonies 

 of initiation. Duties of a Matangi. Renuka. 



CHAPTER IV 

 Perantalu Worship 31 



Meaning of Perantalu. Perantalus in Matsavaram. Buchamma. 

 Lingamma. Usuramma. The worship of Usuramma. 



CHAPTER V 



The Saktis y/ 



Meaning of sakli. Sakti worship in the Tantras. Dravidian 

 Saktis. Worship of Saktis in connection with the village god- 

 dess. Various Saktis. Kati Ankamma. Donga Sakti. Nadividhi 

 Sakti. Lambadi Sakti. Malayala Sakti and human sacrifice. 

 Kateri Sakti. 



CHAPTER VI 



Demon Possession 48 



Ceremonies for exorcising demons which cause sickness. An- 

 other method of exorcism. Exorcism at Nattaryan Kovil temple. 



2 



