1866.] Notes on Pilgrimages in the Country of Cashmere. 229 



present day the earth there is combustible ; and at times grows hot 

 enough to cook rice. When this is known, the Brahmins from all 

 parts of Cashmere flock there. 



(3.) Return by Mahadamuttie again, bathe there, and the pil- 

 grimage is complete. 



No. 6. 



The next I find is that of the pilgrimage of Kupdl Mucharn, which 

 has already been alluded to as involving a grave issue to the Hindu 

 undertaking it. The following is the description given in the Shastr. 

 Siva (Mahadeo) had slain the wife of a demon (Rakhshus), and 

 was pursued by the sin (or nemesis) of the act. By the advice of the 

 " sun" or luminous emanation of Mahadeo, who is stated to have 

 dwelt at Shupeyon, he formed a " Nag" or fountain for the purifi- 

 cation of sin. This pilgrimage is accordingly resorted to by great 

 criminals. " Even the slayer of a hundred Brahmins may be cleansed 

 from his sin by the performance of ablutions in the Kupul Mucham 

 Nag," " Lake of the escape of the head from sin." The time of 

 this pilgrimage is midsummer. 



No. 7. 



A pilgrimage to SJieiva Devi in the Bring Pergunnah for retired 

 devotees only. The Nag or Lake is sacred to Siva, but I find nothing 

 further noted in regard to this pilgrimage, nor do I know its* exact 

 locality. I believe, however, it is near Shahabad, towards the 

 Meribul pass. 



No. 8. 



I now proceed to No. 8 r or the pilgrimage of Kunie Malar, which 

 leads the pilgrim down the river to Baramoola (more properly Wara 

 Mool, Wara being a name of Vishnoo, the preserver, signifying the 

 " Hog," who is fabled to have at this place rooted up the earth of 

 the valley from beneath the water of the primaeval lake, in fashion of 

 a hog, with his tusks) This of course bears reference to the Hindu 

 fable of the original desiccation or draining of the valley by the 

 Muni Kashyapa, in which he is stated to have been assisted by 

 Vishnoo. 



(2.) Papaharun Nag, — " The pool of the putting away of sin." The 

 2nd step of this pilgrimage is fabled to have been formed by Mahadeo 



