BILASPUR

The symbols of Balak Nath or Dewat Sidh are to be seen in most villages, and in some places alongside every house. Prayers and offerings are made on the first Sunday of each Baisakhi mouth. A large loaf is made and distributed among the worshippers. A favourite type of offering is a small pair of paten. Frequently a silvery charm is hung round the neck of a child in the name of Dewat Sidh, and worn by him till the day of his death.

The following places of worship dedicated to Baba Balak Nath and other Sidhs command a good deal of name and fame in the localities in which these are situated Baba Balak Nath Sthan at Bhapral and his temple at Changar Talai in Ghamarwin tahsil. The Sadr the places are Rang Nath temple in Bilaspur proper, Sidh temple at Bhail. Dhar, Khorani and Talwar.*

Guga cult has quite a few legends, which differ from one another. One story is as follows:-

"Somewhere in the Dakhan (South) there were two issueless sisters, Bachla and Kachla, wives of a Chauhan Rajput named, Dev Raj. In the hope of begetting an issue Bachla went, one day, to the shrine of Gorakhnath and was told to come again when she would be given a fruit to cat after which a child would be assured to her.

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