Page:Report of a Tour Through the Bengal Provinces of Patna, Gaya, Mongir and Bhagalpur; The Santal Parganas, Manbhum, Singhbhum and Birbhum; Bankura, Raniganj, Bardwan and Hughli in 1872-73.djvu/161

Rh  the line all round, forming a connected spiral from top to toe; the hill was probably volcanic, as suggested by General Cunningham.

About twelve miles from Naya Dumka, and three off the road between it and Mandar, is the shrine of Bhaski Nath; the temple there is apparently modern, and there is nothing of interest except the legend.

The legend relates that in ancient times some Parihar Rajputs used to live in these jangals, feeding on roots and fruit. One of them, Vasu Patr, in digging for roots, came upon a lingam, and continuing his excavations, found an entire lingam and argha; these he cleaned and went home; there he dreamt that he was ordered to worship it; he wanted to know where he could get water for libations, when he was told that in a copse, to the north of the lingam, he would find water in a hollow. On waking, Vasu Patr did as ordered, found the water, and began to worship the lingam, making offerings once a week, every Monday. The lingam, after Vasu Patr, came to be known as Bháskinâth. Bye-and-bye Vasu Patr dug a tank; for his zeal, the god appeared to him in his dream and ordered him to make and keep ready ropes, as he would send him many buffaloes. Vasu Patr, however, had not this time much faith in the dream, he nevertheless made a small length of rope. At midnight he was ordered to go to the tank and to tie as many buffaloes as he could; he went to the tank, but not having ropes enough, he could tie only a few; he tied some with his pagri and his dhoti, but these were found too weak to resist the attempts of the animals to get away.

Subsequently, Rupá Manji, a gwallá, was ordered to build a temple; he began it, but could not finish it; it was then taken up by Babu Gopál Sing, Raja of Negawáu, and on his death, by his brother, who finished it. The proceeds of the temple are now divided between the Pandás and the Raja of Negawán.  

About 30 miles west by a little north of Bháskinâth is Baijnâth; this place is famed for its sanctity all over Northern, Central and Eastern India, and thousands of pilgrims flock here from all parts, even from the Dakhin. The remains here are numerous and extensive, but little of great antiquity, and almost all of no interest, apart from what 