1884.] 
63 
of Heliijion in the Himalaya. 
Kanyd sanhrdnta. —The Kanyd or Asoj sanhrdnta is also locally known 
as the Khataruivd sanlcrdnta from the people gathering hay and fnel on 
this day. From a portion of these firstfrnits after the rains a bonfire is 
made into which the children throw encumbers and flowers and make 
money by singing and dancing. The following story is told in explana¬ 
tion of this custom :—“ In former days one of the Chand Rajas sent a 
force to invade Garhwal and gave strict injunctions to his general to 
convey speedily the news of any victory that should be gained. The 
general told the Raja that when he saw the hills around blazing with 
bonfires he might know that Garhwal had been conquered, and for this 
purpose heaps of fnel were collected on all the higher peaks along the 
line of march and placed under charge of guards. The object of the 
expedition was attained on the Kanyd sanhrdnta and the fuel was fired 
and peak answered peak until in a few hours a bonfire was blazing on 
every hill from Garhwal to Almora. The Raja was so pleased at the 
success of his troops and the rapidity with which the news of the victory 
was communicated that he gave orders to continue the custom on each 
anniversary.” Hence this custom has been observed ever since in 
Kumaon, but not in Garhwal. 
Mahar sanhrdnta. —The Mahar or Mdgh sanhrdnta is also known as 
the Ghugutiyd, Phut, and TJttardyini or Uttaraini saiihrdnta. The name 
‘ Ghugutiyd^ is given from the small images of flour baked in sesamum 
oil or ghi and made to resemble birds which are strung as necklaces and 
placed around the necks of children on this day. On the morrow or the 
second day of Magh the children call the crows and other birds and feed 
them with the necklaces and eat a portion themselves. The name ‘ PliuV 
sanhrdnta is derived from the custom of placing flowers, especially those 
of the rhododendron, at the threshhold of friends and relations who, in 
return, give presents of rice and grain. The name ‘ UttardyinU is derived 
from its being the beginning of the winter solstice according to the Hin¬ 
du system and, as with us, commences with the entry of the sun into the 
sign Capricorn. The name ‘ Mahara ’ is the Hindu equivalent for the 
constellation corresponding to Capricorn and is represented by a figure 
half fish and half goat. The whole of Magh is specially devoted to the 
worship of Vishnu and the sun, and according to the Padma-Purana 
bathing during this month is particularly efficacious. The great com¬ 
mercial fairs at Bageswar and Thai Baleswar are held on this day. 
Amongst the Sikhs, the Mahar sanhrdnta is the occasion of a fair at 
Rikhikes on the Ganges connected with the Dehra establishment. 
Conclusion. —The general result of our brief survey of the religious 
festivals observed in Kumaon and Garhwal shows that even at the present 
day, they are in no sense of Brahmanical origin. Excluding those clearly 
