in" chattisgher, 



I have mentioned these temples merely as being connected in one ge- 

 neral enclosure with the principal one, in the immediate court of which at 

 the four corners are besides four smaller temples, or rather shrines, contain- 

 ing the images of Narsinh, Vaman, Varaha, and Badarinath. There has 

 been recently attached a temple of Jagannath. 



There are two ancient inscriptions, on the walls of the temple of Ram- 

 chander. I enclose copies of them, Nos. 1 and 3. The principal one is I 

 believe perfect and has been copied with some care ; the other is much 

 defaced. Fac similes would probably have been better than copies but I 

 have not been able to take them.* 



The Pujaris of the temple are called Pandehs, and state themselves to 

 be Rajputs of the Byse tribe. Although they say that the worship of the 

 temple was confided to their ancestors by Jagatpai who, according to one 

 copy of the inscription built or consecrated it in 796 Samvat, or 1084 years 

 ago, they are not able to carry up their pedigree beyond ten or twelve ge- 

 nerations. They are altogether very ignorant. 



The village of Shalmali is mentioned in the inscription as having been 

 assigned by Jagatpai for the support of the temple. The Pandehs say 

 that there was formerly a village of that name not far from Raju which 

 was appropriated to the temple, but that the village has been since desert- 

 ed, and in lieu of it a village called Rohna, erected not far from the ancient 

 site of the former, was subsequently granted, and is still held by them. 

 They also say that with three other villages, they had formerly other dues 

 in the Rypur and Drug Pergannahs, which since the death of Bimbaji 

 have been resumed. At present they enjoy the revenues of four villages of 

 trifling value, and a cash payment from the government of 353 rupees. In 

 addition to this, the jatra produces a small sum annually, the residue 



* Fac similes have been since received : see observations. 



