The deities of the forest reside in groves of trees or near the Piludi tree, to which their devotees must go in order to fulfil their vows.[137] These deities do not receive any formal worship. But they are noted for the cure of certain diseases, and the groves which they haunt are frequently visited by afflicted persons. These deities are installed in those places where they have manifested their powers.[138]
There is a belief that if unmarried persons touch sindur or red lead, a cobra deity of the forest, Kshetrapāl, takes them in marriage. But the danger can be averted by vowing to dedicate khichaḍi, red lead, a dokado[139] and some fruit to this god at the time of marriage.[140]
[1] The following couplet mentions all of them:
अश्वत्थामा बलिर्व्यासो हनूमांश्च बिभीषणः ।
कृपः परशुरामश्च सप्तैते चिरजीविनः ॥
[2] K. D. Desai, from the answers of various Schoolmasters. [↑]
[3] A group of gods supposed to be inferior manifestations of Shiva, who is said to be the head of the group. [↑]