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THE FOLKLORE OF GUJARAT
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The occasion for earth-worship most fre- constructor who happens to be under the quently arises when anything is to be built influence of Sinha (Lco), Kanya (Virgo) and upon its surface. At the time of setting the Tula (Libra): in the north-east corner, if manek-otambha, pr the first pillar of a mar- under the influence of Vrishchika (Scorpio), riage-bower or a bower for a thread-cere- Dhanu (Sagittarius) and Makar (Capricormony, before commencing the construction of nus): in the south-east corner if under the wells, reservoirs, and tanks and in laying sway of Kumbha (Aquarius), Min (Pisces) and the foundation-stone of a house, a temple, or Mesha (Aries): in the south-west corner in a sacrificial pit, or of a street, a fortress, a the case of Urishabh (Taurus), Mithun city, or a village, or of any constructive (Gemini) and Kark (Cancer). After the work raised upon or made under the ground, worship of the earth-mother, sugar or molascertain ceremonies, called khat-muhurt or ses is distributed among neighbours, bystankhat-puja, are performed. The earth-mother ders and relatives, in token of the auspiciousis then worshipped in the manner prescribed ness of the occasion. An image of Ganpati in the Shastras, to propitiate her against is worshipped in a copper-dish, this is buried interruptions in the completion of the work underground, and a brick is laid on it when undertaken. The owner or the person inter- starting the work of construction,3 In ested in the new construction pours a little setting up the manek-stambha on marriage water on the earth where the foundation-pit occasions, a small earthen bowl is filled with is to be dug, sprinkles red lac and gulal milk, curds, turmeric, durva-sproutst and (red powder), places a betel-nut and a few mag seeds (phasoleus mungo), and buried in precious coins, and digs out the first clod of the ground after being sprinkled over with earth himself. Some of the things offered red lac and rice. to the earth at the time of khat-puja are The ceremonies appertaining to khat. panchamrit, betel nuts, betel-leaves, pancha- muhurt are treated of at length in a book ratna (or the five kinds of precious things, called Dharma-vindhu. They are believed namely, gold, silver, copper, coral, and to secure durability of construction, pearls), a bowl and green garments." Under On the Dasarat day or the 10th day of the influence of particular rashis (signs of the bright half of Ashvin (the last month), the zodiac), particular corners of the build- Rājās go out in state with their ministers ing under construction are required to be and subjeets to worship the earth-mother and dug in the khat-na uhurt ceremonies. For the holy shami tree (prosopis spicegera). A instance, a little digging in the nortl.-west wetted plot of ground is first dug over with corner is belioved to be favourable to the pikes, japāla (tender wheat plants) and 1 Mr. N. D. Vora, Rajpara.
* Mr. D. K. Pandya, Dhhank. • Mr. N. M, Dave, Sänka.
• Mr. Talakshi Dharashi, Sayala. * The Schcolmaster of Dadvi.
• Mr. Jairam Vasaram, Jodia. 1 The Schoolmaster of Gondal Taluka • A mixture of milk, curds, ghi, honey and sugar. + Durvā is a kind of sacred grass.
1 On the Dasara holiday, which is also known as Vijayadashmi, Hindus take special dishes, dress them. selves in their best garments and go out of towns and villages to worship the earth-mother and the holy shami, with javila stalks, a few of which are inserted in the folds of their head-dress as auspicious tokens. In towns and big cities a procession is formed, conducted by some city magaate or a native chief riding an elephant. They go in stateto the place of worship, and after the completion of the worship a goat or a he buffalo preferably the latter, is killed, and a salvo of three to seven or more cannon is fired. People then return hone and prostrate themselves before their olders, and receive from them a handful of candied sugar, a betel-nut and leaf, with blessings for long-life and prosperity. Such blessings are considered likely to prove effective. - K, D. Desai.
