Among Maráthás and many of the lower classes in the Ratnágiri District the branch of a Vad, Kadamba, mango, or an Apta tree is worshipped as their devak or kul.[1]
Some Maráthás have a sword or a dagger as their devak, which is worshipped by them before commencing the ritual of the marriage ceremony.[2]
The family known as Ráne at Náringre in the Davagad taluka of the Ratnágiri District, and the families known as Gadakari and Jádhava at Málwan, consider the Vad or Banian tree as their devak, and do not make use of its leaves. In the same manner, some people consider the Kadamba tree sacred to their family.[3]
There are some people among the Hindus in Western India whose surnames are derived from the names of animals and plants, such as Boke, Lándage, Wágh, Dukre, Káwale, Garud, More, Mhase, Rede, Keer, Popat, Ghode, Shelár, Gáyatonde, Wághmáre, Shálunke, Bhende, Padwal, Wálke, Apte, Ambekar, Pimpalkhare, Kelkar and Kálke.
The Hindus believe that a cow, a horse, and an elephant are sacred animals. The cow is treated with special respect by the Hindus in general, and the bull by the Lingáyats and oilmen. The milk, the urine, and the dung of a cow are used as medicines, and they are also given as offerings to the god in sacrifices.
The Shelár family considers the sheep as their devak, and they do not eat the flesh of a sheep. The Shálunke family respects the Shálunki or sparrow. People belonging to the More family do not eat the flesh of a peacock as they consider it to be their devak.[4]
The Bhandáris whose surname is Padwal do not eat the vegetable of a snake-gourd or Padwal.[5]
Hindus do not eat the flesh of the animal respected by them, and those who offer any fruit to their guru as a token of respect do not eat that fruit in future. Some Hindus do not eat onions, garlic and the fruit of a palm tree. The fruit of a tree believed to be the devak of a family is not eaten by the members of that family.
The families of Ráva and Ráne do not take their food on the leaf of a Vad or Banian tree as they consider it to be their devak.[6]
There are some Hindu families in the Kolába District who believe that their kul or totem consists of the tortoise and the goat, and they do not eat the flesh of such animals. A certain community of the Vaishyas or traders known as Swár believe that a jack tree or Phanas is their kul, and they do not use the leaves of that tree.[7]