<P> Gavari troupes perform two distinct invocation rituals . The first is used to ask the Goddess to permit a village to perform the Gavari cycle . This invocation is held in every Mewari Bhil community on or shortly before the full moon in the Hindu month of Shravana, which usually falls in August as the monsoon planting season ends . </P> <P> The second is to confirm Her presence and participation at the start of each day's performance . Both invocations require incense, flowers . chanting, madal drum and thali cymbal music, a Shaivite trishula, and the kindling of a dhuni fire . </P> <P> Initial sanction invocations are usually held in a darkened sanctuary attended by a small group of bhopa shamans, village elders and veteran Gavari players . Other villagers gather outside to await Her decision which is delivered by a possessed trembling bhopa . He proceeds to channel Her spirit as She explains why She will or won't allow them to perform this year . Typical reasons for refusal include discord in the village, shrine disrepair, a poor monsoon, a crop blight, etc., which must be dealt with satisfactorily before petitioning Her again . </P> <P> Daily confirmation invocations are performed around an altar in the centre of the Gavari arena where shamans, musicians and senior players gather in a tight circle . The rest of the players and occasionally villagers dance counterclockwise around this core to create a welcoming energy field . A guardian Budia figure circles the dancers in the opposite direction to seal in their energy and protect it from misuse . The Goddess spirit's arrival and presence is signaled by one or more bhopas falling into trembling bhava trance . </P>

The singing tradition with which gavri devi was associated