In order that insects and worms may not spoil the corn stored in a granary or in earthen jars, the ashes of the fire of the Holi or leaves of the nim tree are mixed with it.
To prevent insects from spoiling wheat, bājari and juvāri, mercury and ashes are put into them, while it is believed that gram cannot be eaten by insects if it is mixed with dust from a place where three roads meet.[26]
To drive away insects, a ceremony called Adagho Badagho or Mariyun is performed on the Divāli holiday. It is as follows:—
One man holds a lighted torch in his hand, and another an earthen jar, which he beats with a small stick. The two men pass through every nook and corner of the house and the cattle-shed crying “Adagho may go, Badagho may go”, that is, “May troubles and diseases disappear; may bugs, serpents, mice, scorpions, mosquitoes and other insects die out.” Next they proceed, repeating the same words, through the streets to the village boundary, where the torch, the earthen jar and the stick are thrown away, thus ending the ceremony.[27]
In order to secure sunshine and favourable weather, oblations are offered to the local deities, sacrificial offerings are made and bunting is suspended from the doors of temples.[28]
In order to secure a favourable rainfall, a grand festival is observed on an auspicious day. On this day all agricultural work is stopped and megh laddus (sweet balls called megh or cloud) are eaten by the people.[29]
In some places, for the protection of the crops, a thread charmed by the incantations of an exorcist is passed round the hedge of the field.[30]
For the protection of crops of gram, wheat and sugar-cane against injury by rats, a ceremony called Dādh Bāndhavi is performed, in which a thread over which incantations have been repeated by an exorcist is passed round the crop, and an image of Ganpati is installed and worshipped with offerings of sweet balls of wheat flour.[31]
In some places, the ceremony of Dādh Bāndhavi is performed somewhat differently. Instead of passing a thread round the field, the exorcist walks round the field repeating incantations, holding in his hand a pot containing fire, over which is placed a pan containing Gugal. This ceremony is generally performed for the protection of sugar-cane crops against the attacks of jackals. It is believed that an animal entering the field after the performance of this ceremony has its dādh (gums) stiffened.[32]
Silence and secrecy are considered essential in working mystic lore, for it is a belief that if learnt openly such lore loses its power.[33]