Each of the nine planets is supposed to be in touch with a stone of a particular colour. For instance, the stone in touch with Shani or Saturn is black, and that with Mangal or Mars is red. These stones are bored, and set in rings which are worn by persons suffering from the influence of these planets.
A kind of stone called Akik, found in abundance in Cambay, is considered sacred by the Mahomedan saints, who wear garlands made of beads carved out of these stones.[32]
In ancient times human sacrifices were offered on certain occasions. Now-a-days, in place of a human being, a cocoanut or a Kolu (Cucurbita maxima) is offered. At the time of making the offering, the cocoanut is plastered with red lead and other holy applications and covered with a silk cloth. The Kolu is offered by cutting it into two pieces with a stroke of a knife or sword.[33]
Sometimes an image of the flour of Adad is sacrificed in place of a human being.[34]
This sacrifice is generally made on the eighth or tenth day of the bright half of Ashvin.
In place of human blood, milk mixed with gulāl (red powder) and molasses is offered.[35]
In ancient times, when a well was dug, a human sacrifice was made to it if it did not yield water, with the belief that this would bring water into the well. Now-a-days, instead of this sacrifice, blood from the fourth finger of a man is sprinkled over the spot.[36]
It is also related that in ancient times, when a king was crowned, a human sacrifice was offered. Now-a-days, instead of this sacrifice, the king’s forehead is marked with the blood from the fourth finger of a low caste Hindu at the time of the coronation ceremony.[37]
There are a few stones which are supposed to have the power of curing certain diseases. One of such stones is known as Ratvano Pāro. It is found at a distance of about two miles from Kolki. It is marked with red lines. It is bored and worn round the neck by persons suffering from ratawa[38] (a disease in which red spots or pimples are seen on the skin).
There is another stone called Suleimani Pāro which is supposed to have the power of curing many diseases.[39]