Abstract
RELIGIOUS BELIEFS IN THE SIMLA HILLS.—Mr. H. A. Rose has communicated to the June and July issues of the Indian Antiquary a number of legends of the deotas or godlings of the Simla Hills, collected mostly from the district of Khumhârsain by Pandit Sukh Chain. The legends cover seven families or groups, and in most cases give an account of the origin of the godling and its cult. In a number the serpent appears. Ko Ishwar, for example, who originated in the temple of Durga at Hat Koti and had been imprisoned by the magic of the Brahmans on account of his oppression of the people, in order that he might be thrown into the river, escaped and troubled the people in the form of a serpent, sucking milk from the cows. The same story of taking the milk from the cows in the form of a serpent is told of the deota Marech of Malindi. Kalû, the eldest of five brothers and a hermit, when he died became a snake living on Tikkar Hill who devoured men. He could draw people into his mouth from afar by his breath. Others of the godlings had a fondness for human flesh, and demanded human sacrifice. Dithû's favourite meal was a woman's breast, of which he ate one every day. He was arrested on the order of Kot Ishwar, and not released until he had sworn not to touch human flesh again.
Article PDF
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Research Items. Nature 116, 220–221 (1925). https://doi.org/10.1038/116220a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/116220a0