THE TEMPLES IN MIDNAPORE

Some of the lesser godlings are worshipped to ward off particular diseases just as Sitala Devi is worshipped to avoid small-pox. At Dasagram village there is a big mela for the worship of tulsichara godling who is the controlling factor for filaria. The Santals, Lodhas, Mahalis, Bhumijis and the Bagdhis who count in thousands and form the bulk of the indigenous population do not house their gods and godlings in temples but under trees or in the jungle. They have their own Gajans and religious melas.

There is hardly any barrier among them. The Kharia mela at Kanaisahar village, the Santal mela at Baliari village, the gajan at Chorchita village, the Rathayatra at Narajole, are joined by all of them without any distinction. They worship the cow and observe the bandhanaparab. They dread the tiger and have various ceremonies in connection with bhagatpuja. Dance, music, sacrifice of fowls and goats is common for propitiating their deities.

Some of the festivals connected with the godlings of the indigenous population may be mentioned. The most important is the tusuparab where tusu, a doll taken as the daughter of the family is the occasion for songs and music. Indrapuja and Karam are great festivals among them. The
Santals have their Bahaparab when the sal trees have their first burst of flowers. The Lodhas have their Dhoolaparab. In this way the entire area of Midnapore offer a fascinating study of the religious cults, legends and temples.

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