The volume brings together Sontheimer's english language articleson Kandhoba,
the Maharashtrian deity and the equivalent godsMallana, in Andhra Pradesh and
Mailara in Karnataka The articlestake into account the different traditions of
the wide variety ofcastes and tribes for whose members, Khandobas is an
important god,and make use of the various kinds of source materials
thatSontheimer gathered, narratives, comments and statments made bypeople
belonging to various groups. The Sanskrit and MarathiMahatmyas composed by
Brahmanas; descriptions and remarks searchedout in the literarure of
Mahanubhavas, the Varkaris, and othermedieval saints.