64 Wither Theodore Elmore 



place, and soon built her a temple. Here her worship is that of a 

 village goddess, and it is when she wanders from this place that 

 she becomes a demon to be carried out of the villages. The word 

 durgamu means a hill fortress, and according to this story the 

 name Durgamma was given to Kanakamma because she went 

 to the hills. 



Kanaka Durgamma is a very recent goddess. She seems not to 

 have been known a generation ago. It is somewhat remarkable, 

 therefore, that there is not more definiteness regarding her origin. 

 It is probable that the story will assume more definite form as 

 time goes on. 



In a village in the western part of the Kandukuru Taluq the 

 household gods in a certain house are a small golden horn and a 

 pair of golden drums. The worship of these is said to be not 

 more than twenty years old. In explanation of the origin of the 

 worship the following story is told. 



A Madiga horn-blower, who was a demon worshiper, was a 

 frequent visitor in the village. He knew many mantrams, and all 

 the people stood in great fear of him. After a time he established 

 ilhcit relations with a beautiful caste woman, the daughter of a 

 rich man. The matter became known to the people of the house, 

 but they were unable to do anything to prevent it. Soon the vil- 

 lagers heard of what was going on, and they with the girl's father 

 prepared a plan for the murder of the horn-blower. 



When the horn-blower again came to the village, the girl's 

 father called him saying, " There is a devil in my house. A child 

 is sick. The signs are definite. Come and drive out the devil." 

 The man agreed and came to the house. He performed the usual 

 ceremonies, but the demon would not leave. A midnight visit 

 was then planned to the shrine of Poleramma. Taking the usual 

 pots and other articles, he called about twenty people, and they 

 went to the little temple outside the village. 



When they arrived at the temple he called for the goat which 

 was to be sacrificed. The people replied that it was ready and 

 would be produced when he had made the preparations. Accord- 

 ingly he arranged the pots and offerings, drew the muggu, made 



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