Page:Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal Vol 7, Part 2.djvu/351

1838.] of these, with copies of inscriptions upon them, as well as the traditions respecting Girndr, and the other noted Jam sanctuaries at Sitrsnjik or Pailitana, have been promised me by a jotS.., whom I had the good fortune to meet at Jusagarl°, and will, when procured, form the subject of a separate paper. The temples at Girndr are under the care of Chwzrim,, who spare no trouble to shew strangers all the curiosities of the place. The month Pbabguu (February and March) is the period of the great annual joUr,), at Cir*dr, when crowds of mahajuns from all parts of western and central India assemble to visit these .hrinesj.

From the temples, to the summit of the mount, the ascent is gradual ad easy, tbe steps being continued the whole way. A thin layer of soil upon the surface of the rock, affords sufficient nourishment to the kortgrnder bush and wild fig; the former grows with great luxuriance. Several small and detached temples occupy sites to the right and left of the pathway; but the only spot of any note, before reaching the sum. suit, is the Ghai M4kh, a spring of beautifully clear water, which issues, as the name implies, from the mouth of the sacred animal: some small shrines are built near i and it is believed to possess the property of There is a small eetabllsbment of these men at Tunagarli belonging to the GdraEr temples, and from the chepras much curious and interesting matter Is often ma be gained; they are the only annalists I. this part of India, and iii. evident from the perfect coincidence In names and dates, that those Muhainmadan historians who have written on Generat, were indebted to the Jam priests and their books (gene. rally In the Bash.), for all the information they possess respecting 4akUwarr Pattan sad similar places. Their annals extend as far back u PattUuttm, and Chmi.d.gatk, Bimdsesr., s.d Asoko are familiar names; but here, their ehronology tails them, and beyond the mete names and order of succession they can give no information. In connectlou with AB0KA’s name, I was happy to have It In my power to make my friend the JmtIee (hAITI WIJAK) some return for the assistance he rded me whilst at Gfriair, by enlightening him on the subject of the character on the noted rock, which be confessed had long excited his curiosity. I also gave him One of Mr. Pn,xs.p’s Sanskrlt alphabets; with the assistance of this, and his knowledge of the language, he will be enabled to decipher the edicts of a king, whose name Igores In his chapras. t

Although this Ii the periodical jattrsh, Girr4r Is always well attended patti. cularly by jogles, who take Ii on their return from Dwerka. The liberal Sv4awerk which are estabilihed here, act as no little Incentive to thees people, and every anturel cav, or shelter afforded by the rocks In various parts of the summit, Is occu. pied by one or more of the Siu,yasl tribe. They come well provided with leaks from SimkI.dar (island of Bate near Dwarka) and at sun.Ht the whole hill ii med. to resound to their shrill sounds.

The soil and climate of the Girndr and neighbouring hills, appear particularly congenial to the growth of the mango. On the eastern side of the former, two extensive ledges In the sid, of the mount, a,, entirely occupied by thicket. of this tree, and are known as the Sash. Wun, 1000, sad Lack. Wun, 100,000—retatring to the mimb.r of trees In each. The former I. said to have been the mesas of a twpssya by NaSMNA’ra, who was also attended by iooo devotees. 5s2