Page:Gazetteer of the province of Oudh ... (IA cu31924073057345).pdf/433

 MAJ 425 of each month. This particular representation of Mabadeo takes its name from the village in which it is placed. Dohte.--Allusion has already been made to this shrine in describing the junction of the rivers Madha and Biswi. On the 30th of Aghan a fair is annually held, which is attended by five or six thousand persons inhabiting the country within 12 miles. Here stands a small earthen mound in the water, which is sanctified as being the spot, according to local tradition, where Sarwan, the revered, the blind hermit's son, immor- talized in the Ramayan, offered up his prayers, not long before be acci. dentally met his death in a neighbouring pargana at the hands of king Dasrath, father of Rama. It is part of the ceremony gone through while bathing at the conflu- ence of these rivers to place a handful of mud on the abovementioned chabútra or mound, and in this way it is kept up, or rather annually restored, for it is submerged during the rains. Tálab Amoghe.—This lake is in the neighbourhood of the Bálá-Paikduli jungle, and it is affirmed that a century and a quarter ago, Rámparshád, a well reputed Bairági of Ajodhya, of whom mention has been made in the Aldemau report, visited this spot, and pointed out that it was here that Nasket, son of Událuk-mun, a great divine, used to offer up his prayers; and ever since this discovery was made, a bathing fair has been held twice a year, on the same days as the Ajodhya fairs (the last day of Kártik, and the 24th of Chait). Three or four thousand persons of the neighbourhood assemble for the day, but no trade is carried on. The Bhiti Thákurdwárd.—The village of Bhíti, where resides the taluqdar of that ilk, is situated on the banks of the Biswi, and here the Bábu built this thákurdwara some 15 years ago, at which a fair is held twice a year, in Chait and Kuwár, which is visited for the day only by 2,000 persons of the immediate vicinity. Cloth and brags vessels are brought for sale. Sankhbir.-It is affirmed that about 500 years ago a (Bambnauti) Brahman of this pargapa was in prison, under the orders of the emperor of Delhi. The demon of the place appeared to the prisoner in a dream, and promised him his release if he would take the said demon with him, and establish him in his own country. The release was effected on these terms, and the evil spirit, in the shape of an idol of mud, was duly conveyed to the Brahman's house. Then the latter had a second dream in the course of which the demon desired to be placed in the village of Sakhona, and that his name might be Sankhbír. "His wishes were obeyed, and fairs are still held to his immortal fame on every Tuesday in the months of Asárh and Sáwan, which are attended by a thousand persons of the neighbourhood. There is also a smaller gathering every Tuesday throughout the year. The Government revenue is Rs. 57,301, being at the rate of Re, 1-8-7 per arable acre.