An older woman acts as a medium between the deity, Yellamma, and her worshippers during a religious festival in Saundatti, India. She enters a trance-like state and devotees watch in awe as the deity begins to speak through her. The medium cries out, shakes uncontrollably and often collapses in exhaustion at the end of the session. This provides worshippers more direct contact with the deity and the woman is duly compensated.