Folk deities of Toda Tribe are considered as Gods of the mountains as most of them reside on Nilgiri hills though river Gods are also included. The towtits are associated with the sacred dairies as several of them are said to have created the `principal settlements`. They are believed to have instituted the dairy operations there. Pithi is considered as the first deity of this tribe.
Goddess Teikirshy is clearly the most important deity among the Toda tribes. The division of the sacred buffaloes and dairies between the sub castes and clans is attributed to her. She is believed to be the creator and supporter of the social and ritual institutions of the Toda tribe. She is believed to be all-pervasive and omnipresent. These are the gods of the dairy-complexes
Teipakh was Teikirshy`s brother and was the river god. Another important deity is Tell who lives a similar life of that of the Todas. They tend to their buffaloes. The clans have different deities and it is regarded that most of them reside in the hills. It is believed that the deities living at a higher altitude reflect the proximity of the Todas to the deities. This implies superiority over other races in regards to divinity.
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