The people of the Thána District believe that the rain-bow is caused by the accumulation of moisture in the air. [109] The rain-bow is said to consecrate the region over which it appears. [110] The appearance of the rain-bow in the morning is supposed to forbode the approach of rain. [111] Some people of the Kolába District believe that the holy persons such as Káshyapa, Arundhati and other sages, who lived on this earth in ancient times are seen shining in the sky by the sacred lustre of their powers. [112] Hindu women worship the planets Budha and Guru (Mercury and Jupiter) in the month of Shravan. [113] The Sapta-rishis are somewhere called Khatale and Bájale (cot). [114] The rain-bow is held by some to be the symbol of Ráma and Lakshman, who visit the world in that form with the view of watching its proceedings. Others, however, believe that it represents God Indra who assumes that form to see how his orders are executed by his subordinates. [115] The rain-bow is said to foretell good if it appears either at the beginning or end of the rainy season, while its appearance at any other time is supposed to forbode evil. [116] Hindus regard the earth as one of their important deities and worship it on various occasions. It is enjoined upon Bráhmans to worship it daily at the time of their Sandhya rite, as well as while performing the Shrávani ceremony. [117] The people of the Ratnágiri District pray to the earth as soon as they leave their bed in the morning. [118] The earth is required to be worshipped at the time of laying the foundation-stone of a house, as well as at the time of bringing into use a newly built house. [119] Since it is held unholy to sleep on the bare ground, those whose parents die, sleep on a woollen cloth on the ground till their parents' anniversary is over. [120] Wanprastas, Sanyásis, and Bráhmans are required to sleep on the ground. [121] Some pious men sleep on the bare ground during the Cháturmás (the four months of the rainy season), at the expiry of which they present a bed to a Bráhman. [122] It is enjoined upon a prince to sleep on the bare ground on the eve of the coronation day. [123] Widows and women are required to sleep on the ground during their monthly courses. Women whose husbands are away are also to do the same. [124] In the Ratnágiri District Katkaris, on the day on which they wish to be possessed by a particular deity or spirit, are required to sleep on the earth. [125] When people are on the point of death, they are made to lie on blades of darbha grass placed on the earth. [126] The performer of a sacrifice as well as one who has observed a vow are to sleep on the ground. [127] The following articles should not be allowed to touch the earth, viz. pearls, the Sháligram stone, an image of the god Vishnu, the linga of Shiva, a conch shell, the sacred thread of a Bráhman, flowers intended for worship, basil leaves, and Govardhan. [128]