The house of a Pushpaka is variously known as pushpakam, pumatum, or padodakam, the last signifying a place where the water falls from the feet of the deity, on account of its close proximity to the temple, where the daily avocation of the Pushpaka lies. The houses of the Tiyattunnis and Nattu Pattars are only known by the name of bhavanam. As in the case of the Brahmans, the Pushpanis and Brahmanis cover their bodies with a piece of cloth, carry an umbrella, and are accompanied by Nayar servant-maids when they go out in public. The women have one more fold in their dress than the Nambutiris. The neck ornament of women is the cherutali-kuttam, and the ear ornament the katila. Bell-metal bangles are worn round the wrists. Female Tiyattunnis and Nattu Pattars do not wear the last, and are generally unaccompanied by Nayar servant-maids when they go out. Pushpakans are believed to be the most fitting caste for the preparation of flower garlands to be used in temples. They also assist in the preparation of the materials for the daily offering. Nambiyassans were instructors in arms in days of old, and kalari or gymnasia are owned by them even at the present day. Their punyaha, or purificatory ceremony after pollution, is performed by Pushpakans. Brahmani women sing religious songs on the occasion of marriage among all castes from Kshatriyas to Nayars. In Kumaranallur and other Bhagavati shrines, women are employed to sing propitiatory songs, while the men make garlands, sweep the floor of the inner court-yard and plinth, clean the temple vessels, and carry the lamp when images are taken round in procession. It is only the first of these temple services that the Pushpakas do, and their women never go out to sing on marriage occasions. The word Tiyattu or Teyyatu is said to be a corruption of Daivamattu, or dancing to please the deity. According to one tradition, they were degraded from Pushpakas for undertaking service in the temples. In more orthodox times, tiyattu could be performed only in temples and Brahman houses, but now Sudras also share the privilege of inviting the Tiyattunnis to their homes for this purpose, though the ceremony cannot be performed in their houses without a previous punyaha. The rite is extremely popular when epidemic disease prevails. Ganapati and Bhadrakali are, as a preliminary measure, worshipped, to the accompaniment of musical instruments. As this has to be done in the noon, it is called uchchappattu, or noon-day song. In the evening, an image of Bhadrakali is drawn on the ground with powders of five colours, white, yellow, black, green and red. At night, songs are sung in praise of that deity by the Tiyattunni and his followers. A member of the troupe then plays the part of Bhadrakali in the act of murdering the demon Darika, and, in conclusion, waves a torch before the inmates of the house, to ward off the evil eye, which is the most important item in the whole ceremony. The torch is believed to be given by Siva,