The worship of the 'village gods' is the most ancient form of Indian religion. Participants believed (and some still do), that the world was populated by a multitude of spirits, good and bad, who were the cause of all unusual events - especially of diseases and disasters. This volume constitutes a detailed treatise on this topic, and includes a wealth of information on history, folklore, methods of worship, customs, and more. This volume is highly recommended for those with an interest in Indian religions, and would make for a great addition to collections of allied literature. Contents include: "e;Leading Features of the Religion"e;, "e;Names, Characters, and Functions of the Village Gods"e;, "e;The Cult"e;, "e;Modes of Worship in the Telugu Country"e;, "e;Modes of Worship in the Canarese Country"e;, "e;Modes of Worship in the Tamil Country"e;, "e;Folklore of the Village Gods of South India"e;, "e;Probable Origin of the Worship of Village Gods"e;, etcetera. This vintage book is being republished in an affordable, modern, high-quality edition. It comes complete with a specially commissioned new biography of the author.