THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
96
[MARch 1, 1872. s
anxious to burst its bounds, caring not, apparently, to retain the splendid distinction of being the largest artificial sheet of water in the world.
At the south-west end rises the steeper of
the
the embankment unites ; on
the
two hills
which
summit of this hill stands the splendid palace built
by Jesińha for his favourite wife, Umalá Devi, a princess of the Pramara race, strangely also called the Ruta Rani, or “testy queen.” She and the elder queen, mother of the heir apparent, naturally quarrelled ; and, to make peace, or rather to prevent domestic “scenes,” Jesinha himself retired with his favourite to Debar, and lived in seclusion some years
of in glorious ease, until the misconduct of his regent and heir-apparent at Udépur compelled him to re sume the reins of government. The principal building
of the palace rises abruptly from the rock ; domes sur mount the building, and from these magnificent views can be obtained. Numerous rooms and courts, small and inconvenient, are crowded together. Upon the walls of the apartments devoted to the Rani are
paintings still in fair preservation—scenes from the Ramayana, the Great War, &c. A wall of stone sur rounds all the attached buildings, as well as the palace itself. On a higher eminence arising from the eastern margin of the principal arm of the lake stands another palace, from the walls of which the grandest view of the lake can be obtained. The greatest length of Debar is from east to west, whilst the principal, and
deepest arm, runs towards the bund, from the north. This arm is comparatively narrow, so that from the embankment the great mass of water cannot be seen,
especially as the view is limited by the presence of a large island stretched across its opening. Away to the north, the waters extend, during the rains, almost to the foot of the hills, leaving, as they subside, immense tracts of the finest rice land in Rajputana. In the summer small streams can be seen meandering
spontaneously. Upon observation as to why thi waste, it was ascertained that it occurred only over one spot. There the spade and pick-axe were manfully plied, and there they discovered a statue of the god. Afterwards it was revealed to the priest that it was the wish of the deity to found a home at Rishabanáth. A small temple was first erected ; and, as worshippers increased in number, other
and
more magnificent
buildings followed, until the pile is now large, beautiful, and exceedingly wealthy. The Bhill swears by the god, and hence one is led to believe that this is only a temple where Krishna is worshipped under one of his many forms. A large and ancient naubatkhāna (room for musicians) overhangs the great gate. The temple itself is made up of a series of templets, all connected; in each are images of the Jain a lords. Of course the great image is there. The inner shrine is shut off from the rest of the building by gates plated with silver. Each full moon from the bhandar, the high priest brings forth a dress valued at a lakh and a half of rupees, wherewith to deck the god, whilst gold and silver ves sels are used in puja. All day long devotees lie pros trate before the shrine, whilst others offer saffron upon pillars, upon which are supposed impressions of the feet of the god. All the rulers in Rajputana send gifts to Rishabnáth—saffron, jewels, money; and, in return, receive the high priest's blessing.—Abridged from the Times of India. A
NEw JAINA
TEMPLE
AT PALITANA.—About
three years ago when Mr. Kesavji Nayak, a Bhattia merchant of Bombay, was at Palitáná, he contri buted #1,50,000 for the erection of a temple there. The temple has now been completed, and the cere mony of opening performed last month. NOTES AND QUERIES.
through the plains, to lose themselves in the lake itself
Note on Query 2, p. 64.
Twelve villages are dotted along the banks, the inha bitants of which support themselves by cultivation of the soil and fishing, which last is a lively occupation.
With regard to Mr. Beames's enquiry as to whether the custom of denoting the months by the signs of the Zodiac prevails in other parts of India, I find that in this part of the country (Hasan Dis trict, Mysore) it is the custom among astrologers always to use in documents drawn up by them in
Casting the eye far away to the south, one can see Salumbra, the home of the most powerful chief present at darbar to do honour to His High ness of Mewar on his installation, and the hereditary councillor of Mewar, whose symbol, the lance, must be borne before every state document that bears his signature. -
FAMED RIKHABNATH.
Although Debar Lake is so seldom visited, this is not the case with the famous shrine of Rishabanátha, ten miles south of Prasād, on the Udepur and Ahmadabad road. Thither flock thousands upon thou sands of Hindus from Gujarat, Mewar, Marwar, and
all Rajwada, to pay their devotions to the shrine of the protecting lord. Rikhabnath is a walled village in the midst of the hills; it contains numerous houses, and a large dharmashala for the accommodation of strangers. The temple, the centre of attraction, is surrounded by a large stone rampart, and is shut off from the town by enormous
gates.
Tradition
states
that,
nearly
a
thousand years ago, a husbandman one day found in his field one of his cows giving forth milk lavishly and
addition to the usual month and date, that of the
corresponding month according to the “Sankrama" style. For instance the 15th February would be given as the 7th day of the bright half of Māgha, and the 5th day of the month “ Kumbha,’’ the
“panchanga" or native almanack gives both styles. J. S. F. MACKENZIE.
Hassan, 15th Feb. 1872.
Query 4. MANy figures of Buddha holding the bhikshu's bowl, have on the base a monkey making an offer ing, while another is disappearing, head foremost down a well or bucket ! (See plate Jour. Beng. As. Soc. vol. XVI p. 78) What does this mean or allude to 2
Bihár, Feb. 9th.
A. M. B.
