[11] The School Master of Dhānk. [↑]
[12] The School Master of Ganod. [↑]
CHAPTER XI.
GENERAL.
Various ceremonies are performed by cultivators at the time of ploughing the soil, sowing, reaping and harvesting. These ceremonies differ in details in different localities.
In all places, an auspicious day for ploughing and sowing is fixed in consultation with an astrologer. On the day when ploughing is to be commenced, the front court yard of the house is cowdunged and an auspicious figure called Sathia[1] is drawn on it with the grains of juvāri.[2]
A dish called kansār is prepared, and served to all members of the family at the morning meal. Their foreheads are marked with red powder, and a pice and betelnut are offered to the household gods. Hand-spun cotton threads marked at intervals with red powder are then tied round the plough and to the horns of the bullocks which are to be yoked to the plough.[3]
Next, the farmer stands waiting at the front door of his house for good omens,[4] and when a few are seen, sets out for his field.