Note 70 — Chapter II · THE HEROIC GODLINGS.

At Vavanje in the Panwel taluka of the Kolába District, offerings of coins, etc., to sacred trees are made at the time of Parwani (a festival). For instance, when the no moon day falls on Monday, the women worship the Pipal tree, and on the full moon day of Jestha (June) they worship the Banyan tree. The custom prevails of the worship of a well by women after their delivery. A woman, after completing the period of her confinement or ceremonial impurity, is taken to a well, from which she has to bring home water, and is required to worship the well with the following materials, viz.:—cotton thread, copper coins, cocoanuts and such other fruit as can be had on the occasion.70 At Varsai in the Pen taluka of the Kolába District, offerings of cotton cloth, copper coins, cocoanuts, betelnuts and plantains are made to the Banyan, Pipal, and Umbar trees, and also to holy wells. The Pipal, Tulsi, and Umbar trees are worshipped daily by women in this district, while the Banyan is worshipped on the full moon day of Jestha (June). The materials of worship are:—rice, fruits, water, sandalpaste, flowers, mangoes and jack fruits.71