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THE FOLKLORE OF GUJARAT
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Another inethod by which the Bhangis are to send forth cholera when her oblations are supposed to bring about cholera is to sprink- stopped, and her favour is regained by le the blood of a black cow on the image renewing the offer of these oblations. Someof Hanuman. The god is deeply offended times the Navachandi sacrifice is performed at the insult, and in consequence spreads at the principal village-gates, and the chancholera in the neighbourhood. For this rea- dipàth is recited at the other gates. A son, offerings are burnt before Hanuman in number of Brahmans and virgins are also order to stop an epidemic of cholera, feasted, and presented with garments. A
Bhangis are also supposed by some to magic cotton thread is passed round the vilaccomplish the same result by the help of lage and a dhàrà-vàdi, or stream of milk, is malin or evil deities who are first gratified poured out. The bhuvds go round the vilby the offering of victims. One of such lage playing upon the harsh unpleasant dank. deities is Ramdepir, to whom bali-dan (offer- lan. A goat is then taken to the temple of ing of a victim) is made by the people, the Màtà, and the bhuvàs, after cutting out through the medium of Bhangis, for the | its tongue, dip their hands in its blood and prevention of cholera.
strike them against the doors of the temple. An outbreak of cholera offers a good The goat is then killed and similar bloodopportunity to the Bhangis, who extort dain- marks are made upon every door in the vilties and small sums of money froin the peo- lage as well as on the village-gates, where ple. Persons attacked by cholera often seek an iron nail is driven into the ground with the services of a Bhangi and promise him an incantation, A lime is then cut, and an liberal gifts if they are cured. The latter oblation is offered to the Matà. Such a progenerally treats his patients by tying a magic- cess is believed to stop the progress of the al thread round their elbows, 3
epidemic. It is said that the Bhangis have to present Other deities connected in popular belief an offering to their malin or evil goddess with cholera are the goddesses Visuchikà? every third year, and that, in so doing, they and Chandikà.8 Visuchikà is conciliated by kill a black animal before the goddess. burnt offerings : the recitation of the chandiThey then place an iron pan full of sesamum path wins the favour of Chandikà. There is oil on the fire, and suspend the body of the also a giantess named Karkatà who is supanimal above it. It is believed that as posed to be responsible for cholera. She is many human beings will fall victims to said to have spring from the sweat on the cholera as the number of the drops of blood forehead of Brahma and to reside in the that fall from the body of the animal into chandra mandal (or lunar sphere). the iron pan..
One of the remedies adopted to stop an Another deity whose wrath is supposed to epidemic of cholera is to propitiate Shiva be responsible for the breaking out of cholera by the performance of Rudrayag, Mahais Mahamari Devi. The worshippers of rudra, Shatachandi, Homahavan and by this goddess are Bhangis. She is believed bestowing gifts on Brahmans and other holy
1 The School Master of Dadvi.
2 The School Master of Chhatrasa. The School Master of Jodia.
4 The School Master of Mendarda. 5 The School Master of Movaiya,
The School Master of Vanod. 1 The School Masters of Devalia and Vasavad, $ The Shastri of Jetpur Pathshala. 9 The School Master of Charadwa,
• These are different sacrifices, the first two in honour of Shiva, the third in honour of the goddess Cbandi.
