Dravidian Gods in Modern Hinduism 55 



off twigs will put them in her mouth as if she were a mad woman. 



The people ask the woman who she is, meaning that they wish 

 to know what spirit has taken possession of her. She replies, " I 

 am Kanaka Durgamma, and it is because you have neglected my 

 worship that this sickness has come. I am the one who is killing 

 your cattle." The people now ask what her demands are, and 

 again she replies, " I am Kanaka Durgamma. You have for- 

 gotten me. You have not given me offerings of blood. You 

 have not sent me from your village with honor. So you must 

 build me a temple and offer to me the blood of chickens, sheep, 

 goats, and buffalos. Do me the right honors and I will leave you." 



The people, hearing these words, proceed immediately to obey 

 them. The village carpenter makes an image of wood from a 

 branch of a margosa tree. The branch when cut off must not 

 be allowed to touch the ground or it will be defiled. The image is 

 often very rude, but may be more elaborate if the carpenter has 

 some ability. It is usually about two feet tall and represents a 

 woman with a sword in her hand. The carpenter must begin his 

 work in the evening and finish it before dawn. The image when 

 made is placed in water^ and kept there until wanted for the cere- 

 monies. The Madigas meanwhile make a booth in some con- 

 venient grove outside the village. This booth answers for the 

 temple which Kanaka Durgamma demands. 



In the morning the village washerman takes the image from the 

 water and after carefully dressing it and adorning it with jewels, 

 he places it on a litter in order that it may be carried in the 

 procession. A great din is kept up with the drums all of the time 

 that the image is being dressed in order to keep away troublesome 

 spirits, and a fowl is sacrificed at every stage of the proceeding. 



The image is now carried about the village, the musicians going 

 ahead, and not stopping their tumult for an instant. The proces- 

 sion stops before every house, and the inmates bring out water, 



3 The reason for placing this and other images in water does not seem 

 to be known by the people. The only explanation which I have been able 

 to secure from the people is that it is for santi, which means comfort, 

 quietness, and also propitiation. It is probable that the night in the water 

 is supposed to be pleasing to the goddess, but one Hindu ventured the 

 explanation that it was to cool down her anger ! 



55 



