Folk Lore Notes. Vol. II—Konkan

A vivid snapshot of coastal India, this volume gathers the everyday prayers, temple duties and seasonal rites that shape life in the Konkan region. It maps the intricate web of caste‑based responsibilities, showing how Guravas, Bhopis, Mahárs and many others serve as the keepers of village deities, from guardian goddesses to the fire‑brand of Shiva’s many forms. Readers hear the quiet tension between Brahmin orthodoxy and the thriving worship of minor spirits that ordinary villagers tend with devotion.

The book also turns its ear to the Sun’s ceremonial grandeur, detailing the colourful Ratha Saptami tableau and the meticulous arghya offerings made each morning. Through crisp descriptions of sandal‑painted chariots, rhythmic water libations and the solemn vows of those who bow twelve times in the sunrise, the text brings the rhythm of Konkan’s folk calendar to life. Together, these sketches offer a respectful, immersive guide to a community’s living tradition.