Note 75 — Chapter II · HEROIC GODLINGS

An astrologer has first to be consulted as to the auspicious date on which the boundaries of the new settlement should be marked out. Three or four days before the delimitation, learned Brahmans are sent to purify the chosen site by the recitation of sacred mantras.75 On the appointed day the headman of the village leads a procession to the site, and performs the ceremony of installing the village gods. It is said that, at the time of founding a new settlement, it is necessary to install and worship the panch-deva or the five deities, namely, Hanumān, Ganpati, Mahādev, Vishnu and Devi. Hanumān is installed at the village-gates, and is propitiated with an offering of churmu and vadān. The images of Ganpati and Vishnu are set up in a central place in the village, temples being built for them in due curse. Mahādev is generally installed on the village-boundary, and has a temple built for him afterwards. Devi may be set up anywhere: her installation is not permanent nor does she receive systematic worship.76 But more generally only Ganpati, Hanumān and Mātā are installed on this occasion.77 Occasionally other deities, such as the Earth, Shesh Nāg,78 the Navagrah (the nine planets), the pole-star and Kshetrapāl are also worshipped.79