DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.611#0120
86 CHAPTER IV.
unless the Mansarowar Lake, hidden away amid the far
heights of the Himalayas, has purer water and more
beauteous ana sweet surroundings, its inaccessibility
is not a matter for regret. The tank is said to have
been built by Raja Man Singh, whose memory is per-
petuated in the Observatory. The play on the word
" Man " here is quite characteristic.
After reaching the temple of Kedar Nath, a tortuous
way may be worked out still running parallel with the
river, or turning round sharp to the right the main Assi
Ghat Road may be reached.
28. Tilbhdndeshwar Temple.—Not far from the
junction with this main road, (to the N.-W., in a narrow
lane) stands a celebrated temple with a huge symbol of
Mahadeva. This is said to grow a " til " (a small black
seed from which oil is extracted) in size every day.
What efficacy, as a god, this gradual but ceaseless
growth can give to this particular idol is not self evi-
dent.
Under a pipal tree is part of a very large image of
a man. This figure is now called Birbhadra, a certain
Hindu demi-god, but this is only an adaptation. The figure
is so fixed as to appear to be half buried in the earth, but
it is probable that nearly every inch of the figure which
exists is visible. It is the upper part of the figure, From
the waist, and stands some four or five feet high, includ-
ing the hair which is bound up into a high head dress,
one entire arm is broken off, and the hand from the
other side. The image is evidently very old and far
more akin to the Buddhistic age than to the Hindu stamp
of idols. Close by, built into the side of the platform
on which the Tilbhandeshwar Temple stands, there is
another figure, probably of about the same age.
About a hundred yards away from this temple, to
the south-west, is an old temple called Mukteshwar,
unless the Mansarowar Lake, hidden away amid the far
heights of the Himalayas, has purer water and more
beauteous ana sweet surroundings, its inaccessibility
is not a matter for regret. The tank is said to have
been built by Raja Man Singh, whose memory is per-
petuated in the Observatory. The play on the word
" Man " here is quite characteristic.
After reaching the temple of Kedar Nath, a tortuous
way may be worked out still running parallel with the
river, or turning round sharp to the right the main Assi
Ghat Road may be reached.
28. Tilbhdndeshwar Temple.—Not far from the
junction with this main road, (to the N.-W., in a narrow
lane) stands a celebrated temple with a huge symbol of
Mahadeva. This is said to grow a " til " (a small black
seed from which oil is extracted) in size every day.
What efficacy, as a god, this gradual but ceaseless
growth can give to this particular idol is not self evi-
dent.
Under a pipal tree is part of a very large image of
a man. This figure is now called Birbhadra, a certain
Hindu demi-god, but this is only an adaptation. The figure
is so fixed as to appear to be half buried in the earth, but
it is probable that nearly every inch of the figure which
exists is visible. It is the upper part of the figure, From
the waist, and stands some four or five feet high, includ-
ing the hair which is bound up into a high head dress,
one entire arm is broken off, and the hand from the
other side. The image is evidently very old and far
more akin to the Buddhistic age than to the Hindu stamp
of idols. Close by, built into the side of the platform
on which the Tilbhandeshwar Temple stands, there is
another figure, probably of about the same age.
About a hundred yards away from this temple, to
the south-west, is an old temple called Mukteshwar,