SIRMUR

On the eighth and the ninth of the light-half in the month of Chet a small fair takes place here.

Associated with Simlasan Devi is the Goddess at Belgi village (tahsil Pachhad) who is also worshipped as the Goddess Simlasan Devi. A stone idol of the Devi is housed in a brick built temple about four hundred years old. Apart from this idol the temple contains an iron lamp, a trident and a big chain. In front of the temple is astone platform and a pipal (Ficus religiosia), tree adding to its picturesqueness. Worship is held primarily on the 'Katik Sudi Duj' (second day of the light half of Kartik) but,

sometimes, if so desired, the Devi is worshipped on Sunday, on "Sankranti" and on full moon day also. Offerings of milk and clarified butter are made with careful exclusion of liquor and meat for the Devi is regarded as a 'Vaishnav' and a vegetarian. Hindus of the surrounding, areas pin their belief in the Devi. They believe that bumper crops would reward her worship, immunity from cattle diseases, and abundant yield of animal products.

There are legends about Kudin Devi at Dudam and Langasan Devi at Karganun (tahsil Pachhad). There is a legend that she was a daughter of Suraj Parkash, Rajah of Sirmur who was blind and lived in Neri Jagela. When this chief refused to pay tribute to the Mughal emperor, the latter sent a host against him through Dehra Dun, which was met by the rajah's army, under the princess herself.

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