ABSTRACT
This chapter deals with the Swinging Proper and the accompanying Reception of the Gods and discusses a thorough study of the little known rites performed by the Brahmans in their temples daring the fifteen days of the gods’ supposed stay on earth. The Swinging Festival was formerly performed in the first lunar month, but was later changed to the second month. The Swinging may have come to be regarded as symbolizing the functions of Siva as Destroyer and Reproducer, and thus it would have retained its magical significance although now brought more closely into connection with agriculture as one of the many Hindu harvest festivals. Certainly the fact that the role of Siva was formerly performed by the Minister of Agriculture points to a connection with a harvest festival. On arrival, Siva alights in the north-east corner of the plaza at a thatched hut or sala, called the manab or malak.
