________________
162
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
intersected by openings at intervals, with spurs more or less gradual running down to the valley of the Girnâ to the north. The range may thus be described as a continuous series of basalt blocks, mainly of even height, presenting a uniform 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 appearances, as of castles, pinnacles, &c. Sapta Śring forms one of these blocks, presenting an almost perpendicular face to the south, but with one or two spurs trending to the northward. The average height of the plateau is about 1800 feet above the plain to the south, and more than 3000 feet above the sea.
About the centre of it rises a bare rook 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 appearance, 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 Śring is derived from a supposed idea of there 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 bridle-road from the north; from the south a steep footpath leads up part of the way, ending in a flight of stairs carved out of the rock-face. Such is the rock of Sapta Śring, the abode of the goddess Devi, in whose honour a great 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 zigzag staircase of 465 steps, built in the steep "talus" of débris which has formed all round the rock, and is now overgrown with thick scrub jungle. At the foot of the steps lies the village, if it may be so called, consisting of three or four Gaolis' huts, two nagarkhanas, and three dharmasálas for the accommodation of pilgrims. The place is well supplied with water from springs, which have been built up with masonry sides
[JUNE, 1873.
and with steps leading down to the water, and are known by distinctive appellations, such as Kali Kund, Surya Kund, Datâtre Kund, &c. &c. Some are used for drinking, and others for bathing purposes, some possibly for both! Last, but not least, comes the "Sivalè Tirtha," or bathing-place sacred to Siva. 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 fairtime, and appear to think themselves cleaner and better for the process, though to the eye of the profane observer the water rather resembles pea-soup in colour and consistency.
Not far from the Sivalè Tirtha 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. Nowadays the mild but pious Hindu contents himself 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 piety of the offerers. The Sivale Tirtha is said to have been constructed by the "Senapati " of the Satara Rája during the beginning of last century. On one side of it stands a temple called Siddheś var, now mostly in ruins, but with a dome still standing, and boasting some rather elaborate stone carving. Under the dome stands a linga, and in front of it (now in the outer air) is the usual carved Nandi or bull. The temple is one of those built of large cut blocks, without mortar, and ascribed to superhuman agency. "Bibisan, " brother of Râvana, being sick, was cured by the celebrated physician Himaḍ 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 Rakshasas: of these the temple in question is one.
Not far from the dharmasala above noticed stands a samadhi or tomb of one of the Rajas of Dharampur, his name apparently unknown. It is in the form of one of the ordinary domecapped temples of Mahadeva, and contains the usual emblem of the god inside; it is built
