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FOLKLORE OF THE KONKAN
said to be released from re-birth if he takes a bath in the kund (pond) named Katkale-tirtha near Násik.1 Bows are said to be reduced to powder if thrown into a certain kund at Uddhar-Rameshwar in the Sudhagad taluka. Kupotsarga is defined to be the digging of a well for the benefit of the public and abandoning one's right of ownership over it,3
A pond near Khopoli in the Kolába district is held very sacred. The following story is related in connection with it. The villagers say that the water nymphs in the pond used to provide pots for marriage festivities if a written application were made to them a day previous to the wedding. The pots were, however, required to be returned within a limited time. But one man having failed to comply with this condition, they have ceased to lend pots. Another interesting story is associated with the same pond. It is as follows. A man had fallen into the pond and was taken to the abode of the nymphs. He was, however, returned by them after a few days on the understanding that he would be recalled if he spoke of what he had seen there. One day he communicated to the people the good things that he enjoyed there, and to the surprise of all he was found dead immediately after, Water nymphs are said to reside in a pond at Varsai in the Kolába district. Consequently persons that are held unclean, e.g., women in their monthly course, etc., are not allowed to touch it. The nymphs of the same lake were once said to lend pots on festive occasions. It is said that the water nymphs used to provide ornaments for marriage and other ceremonies, if returned within a prescribed period. But some people having failed to return them, they ceased to lend them."
1 School Master, Chauk, Kolába.
3 School Master, Varsai, Kolába,
5 School Master, Wavasi, Kolába,
7 School Master, Chaul, Kolába,
School Master, Vavasi, Kolába,
11 School Master, Bándivade, Budruk, Ratnagiri.
13 School Masters, Agáshi and Arnála, Thána.
15
A spirit called Girha is supposed to reside in water. It is said to make mischief with man in a variety of ways by enticing him into deep water. The Jakrin is said to be a deity residing in water. Persons drowned in water are believed to become water-spirits, and to trouble innocent passers-by."
A mountain near the village Pule, in the district of Ratnagiri is held sacred on account of the residence of the god Ganpati at that place. For this reason people walk round the mountain and worship it. Tradition says that Ganpati was at first at Gule in the Ratnagiri district, but on account of the sanctity of the place being violated by some wicked persons the god transferred his residence to Pule. At Gule there is still a very beautiful temple of Ganpati, though it is now in a dilapidated condition. The cave of the sage Much-kund near Machal on the Sahyadri mountain is considered sacred. In the Konkan it is not held sinful to ascend a mountain or a hill, though to sit upon its summit is considered sinful.11 The hill of Mirya near Ratnagiri is considered sacred This hill is believed to be a particle (miri) of the mythological mountain Dronagiri 12
A hill near Dhárávi in the Thána District is consecrated by the temple of a goddess upon the top. This goddess is said to preserve ships at sea, and people are occasionally possessed by her. It is said that a Roman Catholic priest met instantaneous death on having insulted her 13
The hill of Mahálakshmi in the Dahanu táluka is held sacred. The villagers consider it dangerous to ascend this hill 14 On the hill of the same name is a temple of the goddess Jivadhani, who is said to preserve children from small-pox. The following
2. School Master, Wavasi, Kolába, School Master, Khopoli, Kolába,
6 School Master, Chauk, Kolába. 5 School Master, Akol, Kolába, 10 School Master, Basani, Ratnagiri. 12,chool Master, Málgund, Ratnagiri, 14 School Master, Dahánu, Thána.
