Page:Hindu Feasts Fasts and Ceremonies.djvu/137

Rh houses is left to the younger boys. Each youngster takes a small basket and proceeds to the gardens and fields with his companions merrily singing a shrill hymn called the Onam hymn. The following is the translation of one of the. verses:—"Oh! the moon-disc-decorated (Siva) protect me. Oh! the husband of Parvati (Siva) protect me. Oh! the moon-faced deity protect me. Oh! the god worshipped by Indra and other gods protect me.” It does not matter if Siva is extolled while flowers are being gathered for the worship of Vishnu, the rule among the youngsters being that some deity or other must be praised. The image is called Mahadeva. The women and girls at home amuse themselves with a dance in a circle called the Tappattikkali; all stand up and circle round and round clapping their hands and singing sweet songs in praise of Vishnu or some other deity. One of the elders of the party starts the song and leads the dancers, and the others accompany her by repeating what she says and following her movements. These amusements continue until the Onam when presents of new cloths are made. All the male and female members of every