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/223

Rh bricks used are mostly inscribed, and the inscription gives a name which I read as Konaha Utara Rájá, while the pandits read it as Hamira Utara Rájá; the date at the end is the same in all, viz., Sake 1476; there are four different varieties of the inscriptions, two engraved and two in relief; the bricks were clearly stamped while still soft and then burnt. Tradition identifies Chátná with Vâsuli or Vâhuli Nagara. At Daksha’s sacrifice it is said one of the limbs of Parvati fell here, which thence derived its name of Vâsuli Nagara or Bâhulyá Nagara, a name mentioned in the old Bengali poet Chandi Dás. Its present name Chátná is derived from a grove of Chatim or Chatni trees, which existed here. The Rájás of the country were originally Brahmans, and lived at Bâhulyá Nagara. One of them would not worship Parvati under her form of Vâsuli Devi, and her favor being withdrawn from him, he was killed by the Samontas (Saonts?) Sântals, who reigned a long time; at last the people rose up and killed all the Saonts they could; one man only escaped by hiding in the house of a low-caste potter (Kumhâr); for this reason to this day the Saonts will eat and drink with the Kumhârs. To this man Vâsuli Devi appeared in a dream, and encouraged him to try his fortune, assuring him of success; the man was filled with profound respect for her, and having undergone various fasts, &c., he gathered together 11 other Saonts and kept wandering in the jangals; one day when very hungry they met a woman with a basket of kendus on her head; she pitying their condition gave them one a piece from her basket; they asked for more, and she gave, but one of them impatiently snatched away one from her; however, the 12 Saonts were refreshed, and the woman was highly pleased; calling them she said—"Go into the jangal and take 12 kend or kendu saplings, and go and fight for your Ráj; Vâsuli Devi and I will restore your Ráj." They accordingly sallied out, killed the Rájá, and obtained possession of the kingdom again; these twelve ruled jointly; the man who had snatched the kend fruit died first, the remaining eleven ruled by turns till, finding it too troublesome, they agreed to give the sole power to one of their number; the descendants of these men are the present Samanta Rájás, who call themselves Chhátris.

The temple is ascribed to Hamira Utara Rájá, and the legend about it is that Vâsuli Devi one night appeared in a dream to the Rájá, and said—"Behold certain cartmen and mahajans are passing through your territory and are at this