Samipya 1992 Vol 09 Ank 01 02

Author(s): Pravinchandra C Parikh, Bhartiben Shelat
Publisher: Bholabhai Jeshingbhai Adhyayan Sanshodhan Vidyabhavan

Page 72

5.
Marvadi (Kutch-Bhatti) Solanki Rathod Chauhan Makodur Junji (Kutch)
6.
Haji Pır
Vayaņi Shikotar Vihol Talgiri Kal-Bhairav Kalka Malvai Sekhāvat Sodara Sagat Vihot Vaoiya Mambai Kavaria Payav Mengi Vaiyer Meladı-Shikotarr Amba Khodiyar Āshapura Bhadra Kali
Vedu (Katch)
7.
Sathvara (Kutch)
Often these deities are closely identified with a specific tract of land, its soil and the life it sustains. Sometimes they are worshipped only in a particular village, or even by a section of the village.
Ancesterial worship is not found in this community. So the erection of their statue in the 'Madh' is not found. Of course, there is one exception at village, Lakhanka. Temple of Goddess Lakhanki is built. It is said that Goddess Lakhanki originally belonged to Vaghari community. This village is situated near Sardhar, a few miles away from Rajkot.
Further nature of worship is broadly divided into two categories. The worship of Divine power and Evil power or Asuri Shakti.
Most of the Goddesses worshipped by Sūdras and non-Aryan groups were meant for both divine as well as Asuri Shakti (Evil spirit). This ancient cult of Shakti had shaped and moulded various religious sectors in different ways. This Shakti cult is also a cult of devotion, but its base seems to have been transformed from spirituality to superstitions and from reality to illusion, it has resulted in increasing ignorance instead of enlightenment. Goddess Meladı:
The maindeity of this Vaghari community is Goddess Meladı.
Vagharis of Gujarat ; An Ancient Tribe
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