Note 11 — Chapter II · THE HEROIC GODLINGS.

At Chaul in the Kolába District the god Shankar is worshipped by Bráhmans when epidemic diseases prevail in a village. The worship consists in repeating Vedic hymns. The nine planets are also propitiated by sacrifices of boiled rice, etc. There is a famous temple of the goddess Shitala at Chaul where the deity is worshipped by Bráhmans, who recite Vedic hymns, whenever small pox prevails in the village. The mantras of the goddess and the Shitala Ashtaka are also repeated in the Pauránic style. The women walk round the temple every day as long as the signs of the disease are visible on their children. The goddess is worshipped with turmeric and red powders, and clothes and fruits are given to her. The Kaul ceremony is also practised in this District. It is worth noticing that even Musalmáns ask for a Kaul from this goddess. The days fixed for Kaul are:—Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. The morning hours are considered specially auspicious for the Kaul. There is another temple at Chaul, of the goddess Shri Golába Devi. This goddess is also worshipped when other epidemic diseases prevail in the village. Saptáha i.e. continuous worship for seven days is also performed in honour of the deity. The gardeners (Mális) of the village worship this deity every Tuesday morning with cocoanuts gathered from every house in the village. This temple is being repaired at present.11