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May, 1909.7
SUPERSTITIONS AND CEREMONIES.
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5. Ludhiana. Before occupying a new bonse the ceremony of griha pratisha is performed.
Before reoccupying a house that has not been lived in for some time, the ceremony of bhasta pája is performed.
VII. The form of the house.
1. General. It is unlucky to build a house broader in front than at the back. Such a house is called sher-dahan, lion-mouthed, or bdgh-mahan, tiger-mouthed.
A house, to be lucky, should be gau-mukha, cow-mouthed, or broader behind than in front.
Houses, also, to be lucky, should bave an equal number of sides, preferably four, six or twelve sides.
2. Amritsar. In Amritsar, a house that is kushdl-dahan, open-mouthed, or wider in front than behind, will make the tenant spend more than his income. A house with its front higher than its back is unlucky.
VIII. The roof.
1. Ceilings. The beams of the upper storey must not cross the rafter of the lower storey, but lie parallel with them. If they do cross it is a bad omen, and the condition is called gul. This does not apply to the ceilings of different rooms on the same floor.
2. Rafters. Rafters are counted in sets of three, the first of each set being called respectively bhastúráj (lord of the dwelling), Ind (for Indar, the rain god), Yâm (for Yâma, the god of death), or simply rej. Endeavour is always made to so arrange the rafters that the last may be counted as ráj 7 as that brings luck. If the counting ends in Ind, the roof will leak, which is tolerated: but on no account must the last rafter be counted as Yam, as that would bring death or adversity.
3. Thatch. Some Gæjars of the Palwal tahsil of Gurgaon affect thatched roofs, as any other kind will bring down on them the wrath of their Pir, or patron saint.
IX.
Structural alterations. Between the months of Hâr and Kâtik the gods are asleep and no structural alteration should then be made.
Ceremonial decorations.
1. General, On numerous specified occasions, the house is dec vrated or marked with figures and designs, everyone of which has, or originally had, a messing of its own. They are always drawn by the women, never by men.
• Upper storeys are sometimes taboed; ..., the Najar Jate of the Samella tahall of LadhiAnd think an upper storey brings bad luck.
Thus with four rafters, the last counts as Ind: with seven rafters, the last would count as Yam: with ton rafters, the last would count as dj, the lacky number.
