Home > Indian History > History of India > Worship of Shakti in Dravidians
Worship of Shakti in Dravidians
Worship of Shakti among the Dravidians is a symbol of reverence to all female Dravidian deities. Most of the Dravidian deities are considered to be incarnations of Goddess Parvati.

Share this Article:

Worship of Shakti among the Dravidians is offered to those Goddesses who have not been incarnated and have no fixed temple or image as such. They are fierce. The Shakti ceremonies in the Dravidian worship are totally different from the Shakti puja of the Tantras. These ceremonies are more terrifying than the Shakti ceremonies found in Hinduism. The worship of these deities is propitiation in order to prevent their doing some evil.

While the village deity is worshipped it is feared that Shaktis will be watching and out of jealousy may do some harm. In order to prevent such consequences the Shaktis are propitiated at midnight. This is done after the day when the sacrificial buffalo was killed. An outsider is brought to the place where the sacrifice is done. His body is smeared with blood from the beheaded buffalo, winds the intestines around his neck, and takes the liver in his mouth. A pot that contains food is soaked in blood that is placed in his hands. This is accompanied by men armed with sticks and old swords and then proceeds towards the village boundaries.

As this procession moves the inmates remain in deathlike stillness for fear of the Shaktis and evil spirits which are hovering over the procession. The men shout and flourish their swords and sticks to keep off these spirits. The man who carries the bloody offering is held up by ropes and even then often falls to the ground, saying that he sees the spirits. When he falls, limes are cut in two halves and are thrown into the air and lambs are sacrificed on the spot. The man recovers from his pretended collapse and the procession moves forward. After arriving at the village boundary, the bloody rice is left as an offering and the man who carried it divests himself of his bloody trappings. Often he is carried to the temple of the village goddess where water is poured over him to revive him. The bloody rice is scattered to keep out the Shaktis.

At times Shaktis are worshipped individually. The gruesome ceremonies are aimed at pacifying the anger of the Shakti. Among these Kati Ankamma is a major deity. She is the Shakti of the place where the dead are buried. It is believed that she lives on corpses. She also sets fire to houses and finds pleasure in killing cattle. The worship is done by one or two households in union. This is done when there has been some unusual trouble which may be attributed to Kati Ankamma. The household gods are taken to the water in the evening and it is kept submerged all night. The pujari comes next day with the musicians as well as with the people who are possessed by demons. After removing the gods from the water they burn incense and sacrifice a sheep.

The next day the worship of Kati Ankamma begins, and is of short duration, for it is not pleasant enough to be extended any longer than is actually necessary. The Madiga story-teller goes to the burial ground accompanied by the people in whose interest the worship is conducted, together with a crowd from the village. The story-teller disguises him as a woman, for he has no desire to be recognized by any of the other deities as the one who did honour to the Shakti. He takes earth and with the help of cotton makes it stick together without much delay, he makes a rude image.

Donga Shakti is one of the Shaktis. The word Donga means thief. It is considered that skilfully she comes and kills the cattle for her own benefit and accounts for her name. She is worshipped at night as she is believed to be an enemy to gods and men. Worshipping her is considered as the last resort. The ceremonies take place in the night and it is over before daylight. Women do not stay near by. Only brave men are present.

Nadividhi Shakti is another form of Shakti. Nadvidhi means ` the middle street.` It is believed that she comes into the very centre of the village to ruin. A goat is sacrificed which is an offering and charms are performed until it is thought the Shakti has consented to enter the image. The household gods are propitiated while worshipping the Shakti. Then there is the buffalo sacrifice and a large number of sheep and goats are also killed. Blood is sprinkled over her. In the early morning after the day of sacrifice the potter places the image in a basket after another goat has been sacrificed. The potter carries the basket and a few men escort them.


Share this Article:

Related Articles

More Articles in History of India


History of Uttar Pradesh
The state was the heart of Mahabharata war and the history of Uttar Pradesh is very much the history of India. The place finds its mentions in Hindu epics Ramayana and Mahabharata.
History Of Archaeology In India
History of archaeology in India contributes a lot to define the past history and the social life of India.
Mughal Architecture during Babur
Mughal Architecture during Babur is of adequate significance in Mughal history, as the emperor introduced Mughal architecture in India, during 16th century.
Princely State of Patdi
Princely State of Patdi or Patri was incorporated as a part of the Baroda Agency, which was a sub division of Western India States Agency.
Architecture during Sayyid and Lodi Dynasty
Architectures during the Sayyid and Lodi dynasty were mainly the tombs and monuments for the dead rulers. It were carefully designed and meticulously constructed.
Brahmanical Sources of Ancient History
Brahmanical Sources of ancient history are contained in the Vedas and they constitute one of the most important literary sources of information about ancient India.
Female Education In British India
The over brimming enthusiasm among zealous Hindu reformers welcomed female education in British India.
Revenue System of Mauryan Empire
Revenue system of Mauryan Empire can be divided into eight categories. The principal revenue of the state was the land revenue, taxes from traders, artisans and professional taxes were also collected.
Mughal Architecture During Jahangir
Mughal architecture during Jahangir`s period was relative dull in comparison to that of Akbar dynasty.
Princely State of Satlasna
Princely State of Satlasna was amongst the former native states of India that was appointed as one of the Indian princely states during the early 19th century.
Coins of Chola Empire
Coins of Chola Empire were issued in gold, silver and copper and carried the Chola emblem.
Social Life during the Pala Period
Religious toleration and simple living were the characteristics of social life during the Pala period.
Coins of the Chalukya Dynasty
Coins of the Chalukya Dynasty was reintroduced in the South India after a brief break of coinage less period of nearly three century. Chalukyas issued coins only in gold and they exhibit a brilliant artistic skill of the engraver.
Costumes of Indus Valley Civilisation
Costumes of Indus valley Civilization have been considered as the basis for Indian clothes. Sophisticated ornaments and make up were used during that age.
Development of Science under Gupta Empire
Development of Science under Gupta Empire was progressive and it had attained considerable perfection. Mathematics, astronomy, medicine, chemistry, physics and metallurgy were the most prominent of the sciences at that time.
Culture under Delhi Sultanate
Culture under Delhi Sultanate had enduring aspects to it. It included the society, the religious condition, literature and art and architecture of that period.
Princely State of Hapa
Princely State of Hapa was incorporated as a part of the Baroda Agency, which was under the administrative control of the Western India States Agency.
Economy Under Chola Dynasty
Economy under Chola dynasty was strong and well developed. The economic life of the people of the Chola Kingdom was well balanced with their social life.
Coins of Khilji Dynasty
Coins of Khilji Dynasty had an influential feature that was followed by the other dynasties.
Religion During Mauryan Dynasty
Religion during Mauryan dynasty became a considerable episode in Indian history with an esteemed lineage of rulers.