364 Journal of a trip thvough the [April, 



here and there by falls. The spurs of the Jaswun range are in general 

 well covered with low bush jungle, in the midst of which are many ham- 

 lets. The distance is about 10 miles, but the better way of getting to 

 the last named place is by crossing the river at Chumba ghat and then 

 proceeding directly to Nadoun. The highest point of the Hooshyarpoor 

 range does not exceed 2,200 feet, and that of the Jaswun range 2700 

 feet above the sea. The elevation of the Joala ridge may be as great 

 as 3,000 feet. 



8. That portion of the Joala valley immediately adjoining the holy 

 city is known by the local name of " Belear Dhoon." It is fertile and 

 well cultivated. The town of Joala-mukhi is large and straggling, and 

 is built at the base of the western slope of the Joala-mukhi or Chungar- 

 ke-dhar. The town, with the wooded slopes of the Chungar forming 

 the back ground, and the valley spread out before it, has a very pic- 

 turesque appearance from a distance. There is nothing interesting, 

 however about the town, it being filthily dirty and badly built. Even 

 the celebrated temple itself is not free from its share of all manner of 

 filth. It possesses no architectural beauty nor any thing worthy of no- 

 tice, excepting the natural jets of gas. As in all other holy cities, so it 

 is in Joala-jee, prayers and monkeys, sacrifices and debaucheries, priests 

 and bulls go hand in hand. Judging from their conduct at their holy 

 cities one cannot say much in favor of the " mild Hindu !" However, 

 in all parts of the world there is not a view of human nature which is 

 not sufficient to blight the seeds of pride ! Through the town and up 

 the range is an excellent flight of steps about two miles in length and 

 leading up to a ghat at the summit. To the left, on a peak somewhat 

 higher, is a neat little fort built of sandstone. This was erected by the 

 Sikhs with an eye to plundering the temple below whenever an opportu- 

 nity occurred, and it was supposed the priests had amassed a considerable 

 amount of wealth. An extensive view of the Joala and Kangra valleys 

 and of the Chumba range is obtained from this elevated spot. This 

 range furnishes excellent sandstone for building purposes. Nearly 

 the whole town is built of this material. There is a cool burra-duree 

 outside the town open for the reception of travellers. In the " Report" 

 on the Kohistan of the Jullundhur;* • I hinted at the probability of 

 iodine being found in the saline springs below the temple ; I have since 

 learnt that it is not an uncommon ingredient in such springs. 



* Vide Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, April 1848, page 285. 



