For the propitiation of goddesses and evil spirits, male goats, he-buffaloes and cocks are sacrificed.[26]
In his first incarnation, the god Vishnu was born as a fish, in the second as an alligator, and in the third as a boar. For this reason the images of these animals are worshipped.[27]
All the gods, goddesses and spirits mentioned in the preceding pages are represented by idols made of stone, metal or wood. In addition to stone idols of gods there are certain stones which are considered to represent gods and worshipped as such. Some of these stones are described below.
All the stones found in the river Narbada are believed to represent the god Shiva and worshipped.
There is a kind of stone found in the river Gandaki which is smooth on one side and porous on the other. It is either round or square and about five inches in length. This stone is called Shāligrām and is believed to represent the god Vishnu. It is kept in the household gods and worshipped daily.
There is another kind of hard, white, porous stone found near Dwārka. It is also worshipped along with the idol of Vishnu.
Sometimes tridents are drawn with red lead on stones to represent goddesses.[28]
There is a tank near the Pir in Kutiāna in which bored stones are found floating on the surface of the water. These stones are considered sacred.[29]
Certain stones are considered sacred on account of their supposed curative properties. One of such stones is called Pāro. It is believed to be efficacious in curing rheumatism.[30]
There is also a kind of red stone which is supposed to cure skin diseases.[31]