What do people in rural areas of erstwhile undivided Adilabad district do to ward off sunstroke during summer months? They carry an onion bulb in their pockets, in the belief that it will keep them safe from the wrath of the sun god when needed to be outdoors.

Onions are even worshipped by the Adivasis in these parts as part of the ‘gav saat’ or village seven puja performed during the chait or chaitra month every year, to appease goddess Pochamma and keep her from entering their village. Occurrence of chicken pox as a consequence of excess heat in the body is attributed to the wrath of Pochamma.

“Every household is apportioned equal quantity of meat of the goat (or goats) sacrificed to perform the gav saat, which is nothing but worship of the seven goddesses, including the ‘situr beiyye’ or the mother of cold. The seven onions and the seven cups made of moduga or palash (Butea monosperma) leaves in which food offerings are kept symbolise the seven goddesses,” revealed Raj Gond elder Kova Bheem Rao of Saleguda village in Indervelli which performed the puja on Sunday.

Outside village

The seven leaf cups will be filled with offerings made with sugar or jaggery. The sweet food items are made at the collective cooking exercise within the ambit of the gav saat puja.

“The food is cooked and eaten outside the village while the onions and the leaf cups are left behind. We believe that the blood from the sacrificed goat and sacred offerings outside the village will satiate the hunger and curiosity of the goddess which will have her bypass the village,” explained the village devari or priest Madavi Bheem Rao.

The gav saat activity also includes sacrificing goats in the evening but within the habitation concerned. The food is cooked in kitchens and eaten at home.