Akbar complied with these
requests, and since that time Hardaul's ghost has been worshipped in
every village. He is chiefly honoured at weddings and in Baisakh
(April-May), during which month the women, especially those of the
lower castes, visit his _chabutra_ and eat there. His chabutra is
always built outside the village. On the day but one before the
arrival of a wedding procession, the women of the family worship the
gods and Hardaul, and invite them to the wedding. If any signs of a
storm appears, Hardaul is propitiated with songs '(_J.A.S.B._, vol.
xliv (1875), Part I, p. 389). The belief that Hardaul worship and
cholera had been introduced at the same time prevailed in Hamirpur,
as elsewhere. The _chabutra_ referred to in the above extract is a
small platform built of mud or masonry.
8. The Hyphasis is the Greek name for the river Bias in the Panjab.
Holkar's flight into the Panjab occurred in 1805, and in the same
year the long war with him was terminated by a treaty, much too
favourable to the marauding chief. He became insane a few years
later, and died in 1811.
9. See note 2,_ante_.
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