Page:Hindu Feasts Fasts and Ceremonies.djvu/62

46 they worship is Cupid and that the mock-funs they observe are on account of Kama, the God of Love. And this feast which is observed as the Holi in Madras and Northern India is known as Kaman-pandikai in the South. And the images of Cupid and his wife Rati are painted, worshipped and burnt on the same day and hour as the image of Holika. And it is also most curious to see that this Kaman-pandikai in the South is observed more by the adults than by the children who also take part in it. The burning of Cupid by Siva has been sung by more than one Hindu poet; but none has done it so beautifully as Kalidasa in his Kumarasambhava, or the "Birth of the War-god.” The story briefly runs thus: There was a mighty Titan in times of yore named Tarakasura. He was such a great terror to the celestials and a fortiori to the mortals. One day he is said to have invaded the Divine world and carried away all the damsels from Indra’s harem. The sun-god by his order shone like the moon. The wind-god was by a similar command wafting soft and sweet breeze ever by the side of this Titan. The celestials were terrified at his havocs. The Divine