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NATIVE CUSTOMS IN THE GODAVARI DISTRICTS.
JULY, 1875.]
Gokal, in Hindustan proper. From hence he was ousted by Krishna, and is now supposed to reside in the island of Ramnak, near the shrine of Setubandh Râmeśvara. (5) Bhujanga, who is worshipped at Bhuj. It is said that in ancient times the inhabitants of Kachh were harassed by Daityas and Rakshasas, and petitioned Sri Wâsuki, who ordered his brother Bhujanga to go to their assistance. Bhujanga went, and, effecting their liberation, at their entreaties took up his residence in Bhuj, so named after him. He is popularly called the Bhujio. (6) Another famous brother is Dhumråksh, worshipped as the Khâmbhḍia Nâga in the village of Khambhḍâ under Dhrangadhrâ. (7) Another Nâga shrine in Kathiâvâḍ is that of Pratik at Talsânâ in Jhâlâwâr, and another (8) is that of Devânik Charmâlio in the village of Chokdi under Chudâ. The shrine of another brother, (9) Pandarika, is said to be at Pandharpura, in the Dekhan. (10) Takshak resides in Kurukshetra, (11) Airavat in Hastinapur, (12) Dhritarashtra in the Dekhan, &c. &c.
It will be seen from the above legend how intimately the old tree and snake worship are connected. The Nagas seem to have been an aboriginal race in Gujarât, and to have worshipped the Elephant, Cobra, Tiger, Monkey, and Trees; and the earlier Hindu immigrants have probably derived from them the cult of Gaṇeśa, Hanuman, Wagheśvari, Mâtâs, &c. &c. In the lapse of time the descendants of these Hindu immigrants began to confound these Nâgas with whom they had intermarried with the Cobras (Nagas), and eventually the legends of Nagakanyás, &c. sprang up.
Ere closing this I may mention that the most famous snake-shrine in Gujarat, if not in India, is that of the celebrated Dharnidhara or 'Earthholder,' situated at the village of D hem â, a few miles to the N. W. of Tharâd, in North Gujarât. This shrine is visited by pilgrims from all parts
of India. There is a well-executed image of a cobra in the temple of the Dhemnâg, as the Dharnidhara is locally called, and an inscription roughly executed beneath it. There is also an inscription relating to the Chohans of WavTharâd in another temple (the large one), the original Dhemnâg occupying an insignificant little shrine some little distance from the larger temple. Carvings of Nagakanyâs are not uncommon in the older temples of Gujarat, and when at Palanpur I found two representations of them in the ruins of Kånkar, probably the city whence the Kânkrej district was named. These I brought to the Superintendency Bungalow. There are many other local shrines in Gujarat and Kathiâvâd where the Cobra is worshipped, but these are the most famous that I am acquainted with. I cannot perhaps more fitly conclude these rough notes than by quoting the following kavita in honour of T h ân:
|| कवित || थोन मुकाम सोधाम धोळेश्वर || angat berk थीर मुरीदको धांमधजवेध || सुरजदेवी जातर खाजे ॥ तीरथ भावत जीव त्रीनेत्र तो ॥ कोटी जन्मको पातक भाजे ॥ भजले रामिके नाम भजे कीन ॥ ताघट नोबत नामकी बाजे ॥ १ ॥
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The place Thân is the excellent site of Dholesvara, and the famous Wâsuki Deva also honours it with his presence.
To the steadfast devotee the place is as it were adorned with a flag, and the place of pilgrimage of Suraj Dev adorns it also. Should any one perform the pilgrimage of Trine
trâ,
Then he will destroy the sins of 10 millions of (previous) existences. Pronounce the name of Râma. Why do you not pronounce it ?
In the heart (of the true worshipper) the drums of his name are (perpetually) beating.
NATIVE CUSTOMS IN THE GODAVARI DISTRICT. BY REV. JOHN CAIN, DUMAGUDEM.
Respect paid to a Dog.
The following custom prevails amongst the Brahmans, as well as amongst the lower Sûdras. At a certain time whilst a woman is pregnant, a number of her female friends assemble and pour
before the door of the room where she is, a quantity of paddy-husk and set fire to it. To one doorpost they tie an old shoe, to the other a bush of tulasi (Ocymum basilicum), in order to prevent the entrance of any demon. After the woman
I have since learned that the custom of paying respect to the dog during the woman's pregnancy prevails over great part of South India.
