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THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY. .
(FEBRUARY, 1907.
As the Devi is the family deity of the Râjâ, she is revered by all his subjects, and it is well known that whosoever worships the Devi will prosper in this world in all respects. It is also believed that she protects people against epidemics, such as cholera and small-pox. It is likewise believed that if the Dêví be angry with anybody, she causes his cattle to be devoured by hyenas. The ramindars of pargands Kalânj and Khushâlâ have the sincerest belief in the Dêvf. Whenever sickness breaks out, the people celebrate jags in her honour, and it is believed that pestilence is thus stayed. Some nine or ten years ago, when cholera appeared in the Simla District, some members of the Junga Darb&r fell victims to the disease, but the Rajâ made a vow to the Dévf, and all the people also prayed for health, whereupon the cholera disappeared. The people ascribe the death of those who died of it to the Devi's displeasure. Some four years ago, and again last year, small-pox visited pargand Kalânj, but there was no loss of life. Some two or three years ago hyenas killed numbers of goats and sheep grazing in the jungles round Tarab, and the Devi revealed the cause of her displeasure to the people, who promised to celebrate a jag in her honour. Since then no loss has occurred.
Close to the temple of Dévf is another, dedicated to Siva, which was erected at the instance of the jõgi Tara Nath. The first temple of the Devi was at Ganpari village in pargand Khushålá. This still existe, and the usual worship is performed in it. The Devi's original seat is considered to be Tarab. Her oldest image is a small one.
There is a legend that Raja Balbir Sain placed in the temple at Tarab an idol made by a blacksmith named Gosâûn, under the following circumstances : - One Bhawâni Dat, a pandit, told Raja Balehr Sain that as Tarab was a sacred place he ought to present an idol to it, which he (the pandit) would place in the temple according to the Hindu ritual, and he added that the idol would display miracles. Accordingly the Raja ordered Goswan to make the idol required. The blacksmith made an earthen image of the shape suggested to him by the pandit, who told the Raja that while the idol was being moulded, he must offer five sacrifices. This the RajA did not do, and moreover he had a braxen imago prepared. Impoediately after the blacksmith had completed his idol, be was attacked by a band of dacoits, who killed him with two of his companions, as well as a dog and a cat. Thus the five necessary sacrifices were fulfilled. The Râjâ was then convinced of the veracity of the pandit's statement and acted thenceforward according to his directions. He performed all the requisite charities and sacrifices, and, having seated the idol, took it to Tarab. He performed several hawans in the temple and placed (asthapan) the idol in it. This Devi is the one who is mentioned in the Chandiki-Pothí by Markandâ Rishi, who killed Maht Kabashor 29
The Fair of Devi Tara is held at Tarab in October on the Dargâ ashtami, and lasts for a day. On the first naurdtrd, the Brahmans worship Durgå in the temple, and a he-goat is sacrificed daily, the Râjâ bearing all expenses. On the morning of the ashtami, the Raja, with his Rani and all his family, sets out from his court so as to reach the plain below the temple at ten in the morning, and there takes a meal; after which the whole Court goes in procession, preceded by a band of musicians, to the temple, which the Raja, with the Rânt, enters at about one in the afternoon. The Râjâ first offers a gold mohar and sacrifices a he-gout, and each member of his family does the same. Everyone presents from one to eight annas to the bhojki and the pujdrí. After the ruling family has made its offerings, other people may make theirs, and money, fruit, flowers, ghi and grain are given by everyone according to his means. The bhojki and the pujdrí divide the heads of the slaughtered goats, returning the rest of the flesh to the persons who offered them. This worship lasts till four, and then the sacrifice of boll-bnffaloes begins. These are presented by the Raja as sankalp or alms, and taken to a place not far from the temple, where a crowd of people surround them with sticks and hatchets in their hands. The pujdrí first worships the anitials, making & tilak with rice and saffron on their foreheads. Boiling water is then poured on them to make them shiver, and if that fails, cinders are placed on their backs. This is done to each animal in turn, and unless each one trembles from head to foot it is not sacrificed. The people
This reference is clearly meant to be classical, and for Mabi KuhAshor read Mabiskedra. -Ed.]
