| The
usual legend is that there was a sudden find of the Shiva-linga on a dream leading to the
discovery of the Linga, which was housed in a temple. Fairs are held at some of these
villages particularly on auspicious days.Bijat is the God of lightning. The legend is that
Agyasur the demon hostile to the gods assailed the Choor Peak and the temple of Shirigul
there. Bijat fell upon him in a form of lightning and from the, lightning came out an
image which fell to earth at Saran village where a temple was built. Another image of Bijat was brought to Saran village from Tatwa
village (Rainka tahsil). There are now Bijat temples at villages Deona, Bandal (tahsil
Rainka), Gundal Dagalga (tahsil Pachhad). The beating of drums propitiates Bijat and
night-long vigils are common. Goddess Ghatriali has a temple at village Panjaha (tahsil
Rainka). Closely connected with the cult of Bijat is that of the goddess Ghatriali, who
has a temple at Panjaha in Rainka tahsil, similar to that of Bijat at Barol.
The ritual is also the same and no fair is held. The legend
regarding this temple avers that a certain Kanet chieftain, Bija by name, of Tatwa
village, once sallied forth with eighteen of his followers to attack his enemies in Dahar.
When the assailants reached Dahar they were seized with a sudden panic and fled homeward,
but, on reaching Bhaluna, 1.6 Km (a mile) from Dahar, they met some women bearing
pitchers. |
