132 Abode of Gods
Deota and it will reveal to you laws that are to be obeyed. 'Accor-
ding to another local legend it is believed that one Uma Bhatt
lived in the village of Maindrath and had a large family of rela-
tives and dependents. At this time, a demon named Kirber Danav
made its appearance at the confluence of the Tons and Yamuna
near Kalsi and day by day ate Uma's family members until only
Uma and three sons and one daughter remained. Uma fled to
the forests of Yamuna and wandered about from place to place
seeking means to destroy the demons and avenge the death of
relatives. One night, the Mahashu Deota appeared before him
in a dream and said 'be of Good Cheer, O Uma, proceed to
Kashmir where the four Mahashus dwell and invoke their aid, they
will destroy the demon for no one else can.' Uma followed this
advice and succeeded in killing the demon.
The Chalta Mahashu frequently tours the Jaunsar Babar areas
on the invitation of Khat (a group of villages). In the good old
days a large party accompanied the Chalta Mahashu with great
pomp and show and at the end of the journey great deal of
dancing and feasting was arranged. Besides Mahashu, another
God to be worshipped is Narshingh Deota. The simpleton fear*-
ful villagers hold Baki (witch doctor) and Dag (witch) with awe
and reverence.
The temple of Halid is the most recknoned and popular
temple of Jaunsar Babar. Visits to this temple are frequently
made by the Jaunsaris and people from Himachal Pradesh also
visit this place and worship Baitha Deota here.
Fond of fairs and festivals
Full of the joy of life, steeped in tradition and living amidst
beauties of nature these good looking people always lead a busy
life, carrying cyclenderical baskets to hold the wooden revolving
spindle (takli) and wool for spinning. Men and women often
dance together in a big colourful circle in measured rhythmic
stepping. Festivals present most colourful sights when women
can be seen in their best of attire all giggling and dancing with
gay abandon and pleasure. Their menfolk carry gods on resplen-
dent crimson palanquins which are preceded by the drummers
and truinpeteers who tujg flowers over their headgear.
The most important festival of Jaunsar is the Magh which is