But for their
uniformity the impression left on the mind of one threading the labyrinth would be that he
was visiting the older portion of some cemetery, so precisely similar in style and
appearance are these smaller temples to the tombs most affected by our predecessors of the
18th century. To the southwest of this curious group are three tanks of various sizes
known as the Shat katali, the Chandra Sayer and the Damu Sayer. Their origin is lost in
the mists of time, but the attendant priests aver that they are named after the votaries
at whose expense they were excavated.
Southwards the hot springs, to which this mass of buildings owes its existence, send
skyward their clouds of sulphurous vapor. They are eight in number and of varying
temperature that of the hottest, known as the Agni Kundu, is not far short of 200 degrees
Fahr. Each is enclosed in acistern 10 feet in depth, and of dimensions ranging from a
square of 9 feet to a rectangle of 75 by 30 feet. Bathers
descend to the healing waters by easy steps, considerable pains are taken to remove the
scum and cleanse these Bethesdas from the snakes and frogs, which commit suicide in their
boiling depths. The origin of the group is detailed with much unction in a
palm-lead,chronicle, which is carefully preserved.Siva Hatakakhya, it appears dwells in
Hades (Patel) and bears on his head the lofty mountain Sumeru, down whose side meanders
the sacred river Bhagirathi. |
