The
Benaris are the hymnists who recite the various Sanskrit mantras required for each rite.
The Pujaris have some assistants known as the Paricharakas. They provide the water
necessary to bathe the god and get ready the lamps and incense. The counter part of the
Benari in the arati sessions is the Haridas. The Haridas sings devotional songs, mostly
from the literature of the Varkaris, saints etc. He sings to the accompaniment of
‘tals', small brass cymbals, but he is not allowed into the garbhagriha, he is to
stand in the antarala. When the god is dressed and scented oil applied to his face, the
Dingres hold a mirror in f7ont of him. The other duty of the Dingres is to spread 'he
red-carpet known as 'Paulghadi' before the image when the god retires for the day, The
hereditary torch-bearers are known as Divate, probably from ‘divati' meaning a torch.
The torches are to be held when the god is going to his bed-chamber and in the processions
of Vithoba's palkhi. The mace-bearers are the Danges. The Paricharaks and Danges
distribute the, ‘Bhasma' after the worships are over. Just as Vittal has his priests
and servants, Rakhumai has the Utpatas as her priests. Historical records mention that
quarrels often took place between the various cadres of the priests and as already stated
the then government had to intervene in the dispute and define the respective duties and
rights of the various sections.
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