Note 12 — Chapter II · HEROIC GODLINGS

Another deity whose wrath is supposed to be responsible for the breaking out of cholera is Mahāmāri Devi.12 The worshippers of this goddess are Bhangis. She is believed to send forth cholera when her oblations are stopped,13 and her favour is regained by renewing the offer of these oblations. Sometimes the Navachandi sacrifice is performed at the principal village-gates, and the chandipāth is recited at the other gates. A number of Brāhmans and virgins are also feasted, and presented with garments. A magic cotton thread is passed round the village and a dhārā-vādi, or stream of milk, is poured out. The bhuvās go round the village playing upon the harsh unpleasant danklan. A goat is then taken to the temple of the Mātā, and the bhuvās, after cutting out its tongue, dip their hands in its blood and strike them against the doors of the temple. The goat is then killed and similar blood-marks are made upon every door in the village as well as on the village-gates, where an iron nail is driven into the ground with an incantation. A lime is then cut, and an oblation is offered to the Mātā. Such a process is believed to stop the progress of the epidemic.13