162

THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.

intersected by openings at intervals, with spurs more or less gradual running down to the valley of the Girnã to the north. The range may thus be described as a continuous series of basalt

blocks, mainly of even height, presenting a uni form steep face on one side, viz. the south. The range is again capped in the case of almost each block by vast masses of bare basalt rising from the centres of the lower and large masses, and

assuming all sorts of strange forms and ap pearances, as of castles, pinnacles, &c. Sapt a

Sring forms one of these blocks, presenting

[JUNE, 1873.

and with steps leading down to the water, and are known by distinctive appellations, such as Kāli Kund, Surya Kund, Datátre Kund, &c. &c. Some are used for drinking, and others for bathing purposes, some possibly for both !

Last, but not least, comes the “Sivālū Tirtha,” or bathing-place sacred to Śiva. It is a small stone-built tank, not above 40

yards square, and nowhere more than four feet deep ; yet thousands of pilgrims manage to bathe and wash their clothes in it at the fair

an almost perpendicular face to the south, but

time, and appear to think themselves cleaner and better for the process, though to the eye of

with one or two spurs trending to the north

the profane observer the water rather resembles

ward. The average height of the plateau is about 1800 feet above the plain to the south,

pea-soup in colour and consistency. Not far from the Śival & Tirth a is a frightful precipice, known as the “Sit Kude.” The rock overhangs at a height of more than 1200 feet clean above the valley below. Over this Tarpeian rock human victims are said to have been hurled in ancient days. Nowa days the mild but pious Hindu contents him self with sacrificing a living but generally very thin kid, commonly in fulfilment of some vow. Looking down the dizzy height the eye discerns the mangled fragments of the poor victims being devoured by the vultures and other birds, who no doubt duly appreciate the

and more than 3000 feet above the sea.

About the centre of it rises a bare rock of

no thickness, but about half a mile in length, somewhat curved, highest at the two ends and depressed in the centre, giving the appearance of a wall with towers at each extremity. But at every turn the rock assumes a new appear ance, and imagination must supply what the pen would fail to depict. The highest point rises over 900 feet above the plateau, and the rock is perpendicular on all sides but one, where

it has somewhat crumbled away, and grass has sprung up among crevices. The name Sapta

Sring is derived from a supposed idea of there

piety of the offerers. The Sivale Tirtha is said to have been constructed by the “Senapati”

being seven horns or peaks to the rock, but the eye fails to see the appropriateness of the title. The hill is ascended by a good but steep

of the Satára Rāja during the beginning of last century. On one side of it stands a

temple called Sidd he Švar, now mostly in

bridle-road from the north ; from the south a

ruins, but with a dome still standing, and boast

steep footpath leads up part of the way, ending in a flight of stairs carved out of the rock-face.

ing some rather elaborate stone carving. Under the dome stands a linga, and in front of it (now

Such is the rock of Sapta Śring, the abode of in the outer air) is the usual carved N and i or the goddess Devi, in whose honour a great bull. The temple is one of those built of large fair is held every year at the full-moon of the month of Chaitra. The goddess herself resides in a cave at the base of a perpendicular scarp, the summit of which is the highest point of the

hill, and her dwelling is approached by a zig zag staircase of 465 steps, built in the steep “falus” of débris which has formed all round

the rock, and is now overgrown with thick scrub

cut blocks, without mortar, and ascribed to su

perhuman agency. “Bibisan, " brother of Rā vana, being sick, was cured by the celebrated

physician Himad Pant. The latter being asked to name his reward mentioned his modest wishes, viz. that 350 temples should be erected in one night, and this was duly effected by the Rāk shasas: of these the temple in question is one.

jungle. At the ºot of the steps lies the village, if

Not far from the dharmaśīla above noticed

it may be so called, consisting of three or four Gaolis' huts, two maqarkhánas, and three dharma Šálas for the accommodation of pilgrims. Tho

stands a samādhi or tomb of one of the Rājas of Dharampur, his name apparently unknown.

place is well supplied with water from springs, which have been built up with masonry sides

capped temples of Mahādeva, and contains the usual emblem of the god inside; it is built

It is in the form of one of the ordinary dome