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: "Leading Features of the Religion", "Names, Characters, and Functions of the Village Gods", "The Cult", "Modes of Worship in the Telugu Country", "Modes of Worship in the Canarese Country", "Modes of Worship in the Tamil Country", "Folklore of the Village Gods of South India", "Probable Origin of the Worship of Village Gods", 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.