Page:Castes and Tribes of Southern India.djvu/489

Rh :Vishnukanta. — For the same purpose, thirteen pairs of cakes are offered in a new pot to some married woman
 * Vishnuvidia. — To atone for the sin of the catamenial discharge, food is eaten without salt on the second day after every new moon.


 * Sokamuleni Somavaram. — The taking of food without salt every Monday, for the restoration of children removed by death.


 * Chitraguptulu. — Burning twelve wicks daily in oil,for the attainment of happiness in a future state.


 * Sukravaram. — For the acquisition of wealth,women sometimes limit themselves to one meal on Fridays, and feed five married women on each occasion of dismissing the deity invoked for worship.


 * Saubhagyatadde. — To avert widowhood, another practice is on the third day after every new moon to distribute, unassisted and in silence, one and a quarter viss of turmeric among thirteen matrons.


 * Kshirabdhi Dvādasi. — Keeping a fast day specially devoted to the worship of Vishnu, with a view to secure happiness in a future state.


 * Chinuku. — A woman takes a stalk of Indian corn fresh pulled up, and with it pounds rice-flour mixed with milk in a mortar. This is to avert widowhood in this world, and to secure happiness in the next.

Women who have lost children frequently perform the following two ceremonies for restoration to life or restoration in a future state: —


 * Kundella Amavasya (hares new moon). — To give thirteen different things to some married woman every new moon for thirteen months.


 * Kadupukadalani Gauri Dēvi. — The presentation of thirteen pairs of cakes to thirteen matrons.