Omens and Superstitions of Southern India

Excerpt: 'In many villages, during the festival to the village deity, water is poured over a sheep's back, and it is accepted as a good sign if it shivers. 'When the people are economical, they keep on pouring water till it does shiver, to avoid the expense of providing a second victim for sacrifice. But, where they are more scrupulous, if it does not shiver, it is taken as a sign that the goddess will not accept it, and it is taken away.''