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RELIGIOUS SECTS
are usually , indeed, ranked with the preceding divisions, and make with the Vaishnavas, Saivas, and Sáktas the five orthodox divisions of the Hindus: they are of limited extent and total insignificance.
SAURAPÁTAS, or SAURAS. The Saurapátas are those who worship SÚRYAPATI, the Sun-god, only; there are a few of them, but very few, and they scarcely differ from the rest of the Hindus in their general observances. The Tilaka, or frontal mark, is made in a particular manner, with red sandal, and the necklace should be of crystal: these are their chief peculiarities: besides which they eat one meal without salt on every Sunday, and each Sankránti, or the sun's entrance into a sign of the Zodiac: they cannot eat either until they have beheld the sun, so that it is fortunate that they inhabit his native regions.
GÁNAPATYAS. These are worshippers of GANEŠA, or GAŃAPATI, and can scarcely be considered as a distinct sect: all the Hindus, in fact, worship this deity as the obviator of difficulties and impediments, and never commence any work, or set off on a journey, without invoking his protection. Some, however, pay him more particular devotion than the rest, and these are the only persons to whom the classification may be considered applicable. GAÑEŚA however, it is believed, is never exclusively venerated, and the worship, when it is
