Indian Antiquary Vol 02

SR No.: 032494
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jas Burgess
Publisher: Swati Publications
Publication Year: 1984
Total Pages: 428
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 20 MB

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THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[SEPTEMBER, 1873.
After a stiffish climb for about 400 feet, the Inside the temple on a sandstone stand there path passes under an arched entrance, which are images of Lakshman, Balsundri, shows some skilful carving, into a small temple in Janki, and Raja Janak. They appear to be which there is an image of Mahadeva, close to made of trap, but, owing to the thickness of the which, as it were on the very corner of the hill, crust of dirt and ghee upon them, I could not, there is a cleared space surrounded by a wall or without being guilty of desecration in the eyes breastwork, from which a magnificent view of of my followers, examine them sufficiently the country to the south and south-west can be closely to make certain of the material. obtained. From this point there is a sheer de- Col. Dalton mentions the existence of a tank scent of not less than 1,000 feet, and a pebble near the summit. This my guide was unable thrown over would have to travel that distance to point out, and as there was still much to be before it reached the tops of the trees in the jun- seen I was unable to spend time in searching for gle below. A further ascent of less than 50 feet it. Some distance below the teple there is a by a made staircase, and the remains of another spring which yields water at all seasons. This old building are reached. Here there are two is no doubt the source of supply of the fountain old images of Durgå and one of Hanuman. below. It must have been invaluable when the From this the path runs along a ridge to the sum- hill was used as a place of retreat. Another mit of the hill, 100 feet higher, the elevation of hill near the Main Pât was said to have been which above the sea, according to the Topo used for the same purpose. There is but one graphical Survey, is 3206 feet. While passing steep and difficult ascent to it, which might be along the ridge the existence of a cap of from 60 easily guarded. An old tank still exists on the to 70 feet of trap, resting on the sandstone, first | top. It is said that the women and treasure of becomes apparent. Here was an opportunity of the Sargujá Rajas used to be sent there during testing a'theory put forward by the late Captain the inoursions of the Marathâs, and at other Forsyth in his Central Highlands of India that times when the district was disturbed. a trap soil will not support Sal (Shorea robusta) Having enjoyed the magnificent view of the trees. There were some very fine trees growing Main Pât and other surrounding plateaux on this trap, and I have met with not a few and ranges, and the cool breezes which similar instances.
played about the top of the hill, we descended On the highest point of the hill there is a again to the fountain and then struck eastwerd very tumble-down old temple, of which however along & spur. Passing an old gateway dethe inner wall still remains. Whether a disin- scribed by Col. Dalton, we continued along the clination to interfere with a structure which is path for about a mile till we reached the N.W. said to be of supernatural origin, parsimony, or end of a very singular tunnel known as the want of religious zeal, is the cause of the dila- Hathpor. It is situated close to the north pidation of this unquestionably ancient building, end of the spur, about & mile from the village I do not under take to say ; but, in spite of the of Udaypur. Although its name implies that it fact that there is a mela held there every year, is made by hand," I sought in vain for evidence I am strongly inclined to believe that none of of its being artificial. I can only attribute its the Rajas or Zamindars care very much about origin to the trickling of water through crevices the place, otherwise the wretched and overgrown in the sandstone. There is no trace, however, condition of the approaches, and the ignorance of any slip or dislocation of the strata, such as even of the village Baigas who profess to do is a usual cause of such phenomena. The pujá there, as to what the hill really contains, stream having found its way through an imare perfectly inexplicable. Even the custodian mense mass of sandstone has been at work for of the temple, a fakir, who I was warned would ages enlarging the passage, and the present rehurl big stones at me if I attempted the ascent, sult is a tunnel 160 paces long, and, as Col. had deserted the place. Still tradition asserte Dalton has described it, 12 high and 8 broad, that some 'saheb' was prevented from ascending but it varies in places in both dimensions. by this fakir.
When about to enter its gloomy but cool re
• Is it not a corruption of Hathipola
the Elephant-gate' -ED.