When a cow or she-buffalo is about to calve a packet containing a few pebbles or cowries, the mali (red lead) from the image of Hanumān, dust collected from a place where four roads meet, and grains of Adad, are tied to its horns by an indigo-coloured thread, in the belief that this protects the animal from the effects of the evil eye.[16]
To guard cattle against an attack of small-pox, women observe a vow called Shili Sātem on the seventh day of the bright half of Shrāvan.[17]
To prevent a tiger from attacking cattle, a circle of the flour of charonthi is drawn round them by an exorcist reciting mantras or incantations. If a tiger tries to enter this protected area its mouth at once becomes swollen.[18]
In some places, salt heated over the fire of the Holi is put into the food given to the cattle in the belief that this protects them from disease.[19]
Instead of salt, some people give cattle leaves of castor-oil plants roasted over the fire of the Holi.[20]
In some places, on the Divāli holiday, a torch and a rice pounder are placed in the cattle shed, and the cattle are made to cross them one by one. This process is believed to protect them from disease.[21]
A ceremony called the Doro of Mahādev is also performed in the month of Shrāvan to protect cattle against disease.[22]
Vows in the honour of Ashpāl or Nāgdev are also observed for the protection of cattle.[23]
In the Hasta nakshatra during the monsoon, when there is a thunder storm, a sāmbelu (rice pounder) is struck seven times against the main cross beam of the house in the belief that the sound thus produced destroys insects.[24]
To scare the insects called itidio, vows are observed in honour of the Itidio Pir.[25]