In
the event of the offerings falling short of requirement, the priest goes from village to
village to collect whatever grains he may receive. The temples in Sirmur District show the
people bad fully adapted the main trinity of the Hindu God-heads, Shiva, Vishnu and the
Shakti (Devi) while they bad not given up the regional religious cults and some of the
village Gods of the regional cults.
Belief in malevolent spirits and the need of
appeasing them has not been given up. The Brahmins are not the exclusive priestly class
and the Rajputs, Bhats and in some cases even lower caste-men could officiate as the
Priest. In tune with the religious trends in Northern India, religious festivals and melas
are held on auspicious days. |
