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30
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
In the Sangameshwar taluka of the Ratná- given a feast of sweet things, and rice and giri District, when epidemic diseases prevail, the cocoanuts are put into her lap by another wopeople of the village assemble in the temple man whose husband is alive. She is then of the village deity, offer a cocoanut to the carried in procession through the village with goddess, and ask for a Kaul (omen). After beating of drums and the singing of songs. receiving the Kaul they pray for mercy. It is
This is similar to the Paradi procession, which believed that if the Kaul is in favour of the
is also common in that District.5 people the diseases will disappear.1 At Achare in the Málwan taluka of the Ratnagiri
At Navare in the Ratnagiri District, in District it is believed that epidemic diseases
cases of small pox, the diseased child and the such as cholera, small pos, etc., are caused by
person into whose body the small pox deities the anger of the deities Jari and Mari; and in called Báyás enter, are worshipped with Abir order to satisfy those deities animal sacrifices black scented powder, flower garlands, &c.8 are offered at the time of their worship. There At Pendur in the Málwan taluka of the are no other deities who cause such diseases. Ratnagiri District the wrath of the female At Vijayadurg in the Ratnagiri District, in deities or Mátrikás is supposed to be the cause cases of small pox, the child suffering from the of epidemic diseases, and these Mátrikás are disease is made to sleep on a silk garment accordingly worshipped for their pacification." Sovalen. Flowers are thrown apon the At Chaul in the Kolába District the god patient's body, and are given to him to smell. Shankar is worshipped by Bráhmans when epiIncense is burnt in the house. On the denic diseases prevail in a village. The worseventh day frora the beginning of the disease, ship consists in repeating Vedic hymns. The the child is first bathed in milk and then in nine planets are also propitiated by sacrifices of water. Black scented powder called Abir is
boiled rice, etc. There is a famous temple of throw on the body. After two or three days the goddess Shitala at Chaul where the deity an image representing the deity is made of is worshipped by Brahmans, who recite Vedic flour, which is worshipped, and a feast is given hymns, whenever small pox prevails in the ta Bráhmans and unwidowed women.
village. The mantras of the goddess and the At Basani in the Ratnagiri District the Shitala Ashtaka are also repeated in the disease of small pox is averted by a Brábman Pauránic style. The women walk round the worshipping the goddess Shitala. Brahmans temple every day as long as the signs of the are also worshipped, and a feast is given to disease are visible on their children. The them. In cases of cholera and the other epide goddess is worshipped with turmeric and red mic diseases the village deity is worshipped powders, and clothes and fruits are given to and sacrifices are made to her.
her. The Kaul ceremony is also practised in At Kochare in the Vengurla taluks of the this District. It is worth noticing that even Ratnagiri District, a woman whose husband is Muralmáns ask for a Kaul from this goddess. alive is made to represent the goddess Jari The days fixed for Kaul are -Sunday. Mari, and is worshipped with flowers, red pow- Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. The morning der Kunku and black ointment Kájal. She is hours are considered specially auspicious
.
1 School Master, Sangmeshwar, Ratnagiri.
2 School Master, Achare, Ratnagiri. School Master, Vijaydurg, Ratnagiri.
4 School Master, Basani, Ratnagiri. School Master, Kochare, Ratnagiri.
& School Master, Navare, Ratnagiri. School Master, Pendur, Ratnagiri.
