In some places, the foreheads of the bullocks are daubed with red lead, clarified butter is applied to their horns, and they are fed with molasses.[5]
In others, a betelnut is placed over the Sathia and given to the person who first meets the farmer on leaving his house.[6]
In some localities again, the farmer holds the plough over the Sathia, touching it with the end, eats a morsel of molasses, and bows to the Sathia before starting.[7]
As a rule, seed is not sown on Saturdays or Tuesdays. Wednesday is believed to be the most favourable day for this purpose.[8]
Sowing is commenced from that corner of the field which has been pronounced by the astrologer to be the best for the operation.[9]
Sunday is believed to be the most auspicious day for reaping.[10] While reaping, a part of the crop is offered to the image of Kshetrapāl and to other village deities. In order to secure a good harvest, sweets are offered to the village gods on the eighth or tenth day of the bright half of Ashvin or on the second day of the bright half of Kārtik which is called Annakuta.[11]
No crop is brought into the house before a part of it has been offered to the local deities.[12]
When juice is to be extracted from sugar-canes, the mill is first worshipped. In the shed erected for storing the jars of molasses, an image of Ganpati is installed, and worshipped before placing the jars in the shed.[13]
The first jar of molasses and two bits of sugar cane are offered to the local deities.[14]
Before reaping cotton, offerings are made to the village gods.[15]