mj'RVEY OF THE GANGES, ,55| 



in the center of a square, at the angles of which. are several Inferior tem- 

 ples, in a very dilapidated state. 



The idols assembled here, compose a large proportion of the Hindu 

 pantheon: the most conspicuous among them were Bhawa'ni, Gane'sa 

 and Vishnu. The temple stands on the left side of theGaumat'ht river, 

 across which, a bank, or causeway of stones has been raised, to dam 

 up the stream, which has the appearance of an artificial pond. The water 

 linds a passage through the stones ; but within the enclosure, it is suffi- 

 ciently deep for the purposes of bathing. A number of large fish, of 

 -different kinds, are preserved in it, and daily fed, by the Brdhmens and 

 Fakirs. An annual festival is held here, during the time of the Haridwdr 

 fair ; and is numerously attended, by people from all parts of the hills. 

 The village contains only eight or ten houses, inhabited principally by 

 Gosains; but there are also a few Canyacuhja Brdhmens, who have 

 charge and superintendence of the temple. The village stands on the 

 banks of the Gaumat'hi, which falls into the Sarju, or G'hdgra river, at 

 a place called Baheser. In the commencement of this day's march, we 

 ascended the Chiring G'kdt. In one hour and ten minutes, we gained 

 the summit, on which a small pile of stones denoted to the traveller a 

 temporary cessation from his labours. To the branches of the surround- 

 ing trees, small scraps of cloth and tattered shreds had been suspended, 

 by the passengers, in token of their satisfaction, or as offerings to the 

 divinity, in whose honour the Tumulus is erected. These rude struc- 

 tures are distinguished by the name of Deotas or De'vatas^ and are to be 

 met with at the top of almor.t all the steep ascents, to mark the summit, 

 and call down the grateful effusions of the traveller, who is perhaps 

 /never more inclined to offer up his thanksgivings, than on these occa« 



K 6 



