Note 12 — Chapter II · HEROIC GODLINGS

The influence of the god is believed to be so powerful in some places that it is said that a bhut or a pishācha is at once exorcised from the body of a person who observes certain ceremonies there. In some places the mere sight of the image of the god has the same effect, and it is believed that ghosts shriek and fly from the bodies of possessed persons, if these visit the images of Hanumān. In Kodolia, about half a mile to the west of Lilapur in Gujarāt, there is a temple of Hanumān where persons suffering from fever go on a Saturday, and take a meal before 2 p. m. at which time the god goes out to graze his cows. This proceeding is believed to work a cure in cases of fever and is called anagah.12 A mere glance at the temple of Hanumān at Khandia and Saranghur, or of that image which is known as ‘Bhīd-bhanjan,’ is sufficient to drive out evil spirits from the bodies of possessed persons.13 The same virtue is attributed to the images of Hanumān at Bhurakhia, near Lathi and at Nariana, near Dhrangadhra, in Jhalavar,14 Kathiawar.14