Page:The Indian Antiquary, Vol. 4-1875.djvu/395

 560 THE INDIAN" ANTIQUARY. [Decembeb, 187"*. worshippers are Saivas, who form, the largest proportion of the Hindu community in Bombay. The characteristic sign by which they are known is two or three semicircular or hori- zontal lines on the forehead of red or greyish white paint. The former is prepared from the wood of the Ilaktachandana {Pteroca rp h,= ), or from turmeric (Curcmna longa) and chitnam (carbonate of lime) or borax, both of which substances change the yellow of the turmeric into red : the latter or the greyish white paint is made from the wood of white sandal m; but at the time of wor- sliip, instead of these preparations, ashes are applied to different parts of the body while repeating certain mantras. The horizontal lines on the forehead have also a round dot- in the middle, which may be either of the same or of a different colour. The women of the Ssaivas make use of a different prepar. which in the first stage, or as found in com- merce, is called r a v a, the powder of which in called p i nz a r when dry, and when mixed with oil (swam wm) is called knmknma. Previous to application, turmeric powder and the juice of b i m b I a I ) are added to the mixture. The aima I'm-finn and Siva written in Prakrit, may be consulted by such as wish to extend their knowledge on the subject of lih'ja- worship and the duties of the wor- shippers. In the compound round this temple are four other small shrines, mostly occupied by Jogis leading a life of ease and contemplation, which is just as lucrative an industry in their case as that of others living on the alms of the i'aiihfnl. The principal temple of 13 h o 1 e b v a r a is said to have been built by the Saras vat is about two i ago, from among whom a the member's of the committee of management; while the smaller shrines are of modern construe- t i o 1 1, — one bolongs exclusively to the Sonars or goldsmiths, and another to the Sim pis or tailors. All these temples are nudor the im- mediate superintendence of Hi.' Gujarat Uriih- mans T h a k u r d w ft r a e are certain places in bay named from temples dedicated to ■ lit deities, and called ThAkurdvHbas from their meaning * doors of an idol,' from ^TTT •an idol,' and sfrr' 'adoor.' There are some three temples thus named, the principal of on the Breach Candy road near Girgaih. i? has a tower of black stone or basalt, whir conspicuous among a number of yellow and red washed houses and cocoonut trees around it. It is dedicated to Rama, whose in placed in a niche, is painted of a bluish colour ; wh i lr i be image of his brother L a k s h m a n a , who is always placed by his side, is painted white. Kama holds in one hand a bow, and in the other an arrow. This temple was built by a BAwa erase by name A t in a r a ma, who died, at the ad- vanced age of ninety, in 1836, on the 7th day of Krishnapaksha of the month of Sravana. He was highly respected by the Hindu community and consulted asasage. Howasalsoa poet and wrote verses in Prakrit in Pada metre, but are mere prayers and contain nothing remark- I ■"!' ; they are Sung daily by his followers. Bis life was spent in religious austerities, and when he died a subscription iraa raised to build n tMov tomb, erected in the compound of the temple, just in front of the entrance door, where his votaries crowd together every morn- ing and evening to pay him their devni There is no epitaph or inseriptiou of any sort on it, but the place is well known by the name « <[' V t mar I m a b a w a ' s T h a k n r d w a r a . The tomh of Aian&r&mabtora docs not .simply record his memory, hut contains his body; this ther singular among the Hindus. It is said, however, that as exception is made in the case of R i s h i s and S w a mis, who, when they have the courage to live on bread and water, and sleep on a hard stone, have tlie chance of get- ting their remains consigned to a grave. This perhaps points to the fad l Ejndns think it irreverent to barn one who has gained among them the reputation of a spiritual guide or During the life of this Atmaramaba wn the offerings of his sectaries were immense, and it is said that his renown was so great that Saytiji Gaikawi'id, who succeeded to tin- government of Baroda about the year I made him a present of a village in his terri- tory yielding him annually an inoojne of five hundred rupees, which he spent wholly m charity. Other Thaknr dwAl-as contain nothing striking to deserve special description, and are almost all situated along the same road. R a m a w A d i. — This is a small place between