In the disposal of their dead, the rites among the Kapus of the Telugu country are very similar to those of the Kammas and Balijas. The Panta Reddis of the Tamil country, however, follow the ceremonial in vogue among various Tamil castes. The news of a death in the community is conveyed by a Paraiyan Toti (sweeper). The dead man's son receives a measure containing a light from a barber, and goes three times round the corpse. At the burning-ground the barber, instead of the son, goes thrice round the corpse, carrying a pot containing water, and followed by the son, who makes holes therein. The stream of water which trickles out is sprinkled over the corpse. The barber then breaks the pot into very small fragments. If the fragments were large, water might collect in them, and be drunk by birds, which would bring sickness (pakshidhosham) on children, over whose heads they might pass. On the day after the funeral, a Panisavan or barber extinguishes the fire, and collects the ashes together. A washerman brings a basket containing various articles required for worship, and, after puja has been performed, a plant of Leucas aspera is placed on the ashes. The bones are collected in a new pot, and thrown into a river, or consigned by parcel-post to an agent at Benares, and thrown into the Ganges. By religion the Kapus are both Vaishnavites and Saivites, and they worship a variety of deities, such as Thallamma, Nagarapamma, Putlamma, Ankamma, Muneswara, Poleramma, Desamma. To Muneswara and Desamma pongal (cooked rice) is offered, and buffaloes are sacrificed to Poleramma. Even Matangi, the goddess of the Madigas, is worshipped by some Kapus. At purificatory ceremonies a Madiga Basavi woman, called Matangi, is sent for, and cleanses the house or its inmates from pollution by sprinkling and spitting out toddy.