1847.] An Account of the Temple of Triveni near Hugli. 399 



or Allahabad, called Joocta Veni, on account of the junction of these 

 streams, and the other Moocta V&ni near Hugli, on account of their 

 separation. 



At the latter place the Jumna separates and takes its course eastward 

 near Gustia's Khal or Bagur Khal, about a mile from Triveni, round the 

 villages Jaguli, Beeroie, &c. and uniting afterwards with the rivers Chota 

 Durga and Bura Durga in the Sunderbuns, ultimately joins the bay of 

 Bengal. The Saruswati takes its course on the western bank to the 

 Ganges round the villages Triveni, Supta-grama or Satgaun, Hossen- 

 bazar, &c. &c. and branching out from the creek at Sankhral near 

 Budge Budge, joins the river Hugli and flows into the bay of Bengal. 



Alluvian accretions have nearly choked up the bed and diverted the 

 course of the Jumna, and it is now almost dry and not navigable by 

 boats. But it is a fact, which has been I believe clearly ascertained, 

 that in former times the main branch of this river flowed under the 

 walls of Satgaun by Amtah and Tumlook into the Ocean, and that 

 ships of large size came up to Satgaun, which was then famous for its 

 commerce. The Saruswati is only navigable in the rains. The vari- 

 ous wild mythological Hindoo traditions of the sources of these sacred 

 streams must have given additional sanctity to Triveni. 



The following shloke from the Muha Bharata, points out the locality 

 of this sacred spot : — 



" On the south of Pradyumna Nagara, north of the river Saruswati, is the 

 Dukshin Prayaga, or south Prayaga, where the river Jumna separates from 

 the Gunga. This place is equal (in point of holiness) to north Prayaga (Alla- 

 habad), and imperishable virtue may be attained by means of bathing here." 



The celebrated Raghununduna, the compiler of Smriti Shastras or 

 Hindoo Laws, whose doctrines or religious rites are strictly observed 

 by almost all the natives of Bengal, refers to the spot in tbe Prayas- 

 chittya Tutwa, or book treating on the expiation of sins. 



^Ppji irarro ^3^jifi if^ff wumT^r ^f^rtii i 



"The south Prayag called the Moocta- Veni, is situated in the southern 

 part (of Bengal) near Supta-grama." 



