DEO DOWAR HOLLOW, Brahmakund

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

Not only a perforated peak or a rock excavated into a hollow in an area with calcareous rocks or generally naked rocks, partly composed of limestone (GRIFFITH, W 1837: 114; 1847: 26) but also a sacred pool of water, which is known as the Brahmakund (note 1) and was understood to consist of a bay or inlet of the Burhampooter [Brahmaputra River], into which falls a small stream, that issues from the side of the hill immediately above it (ROWLATT, E A 1846: 486-487). ETYMOLOGY: Deo Dowar (GRIFFITH 1836 in WILCOX 1873 / 1978: 111-114; 1837: 329; GRIFFITH 1847: 21-26) or, perhaps -Deo Duar- (Assamese?) from -deva dwar- (Sanskrit) signifies god's door or gate and, in cases, (cave-) entrance.The Fakir's Rock or Faqueer's Rock [note 2] … is known to the Meeshmees [Mishmi people] by the name 'Taihloo Maplampoo [note 3] (GRIFFITH 1836 in WILCOX 1873 / 1978: 111-114; GRIFFITH 1837: 329; GRIFFITH 1847: 26). SITUATION: At the Fakir's Rock above the Brahmakund on the Brahmaputra in the exreme north-western corner of Arunachal and, for that matter, of the Indian Union. SITUATION 1837: East of Sadiya, the triple peaked rocky outcrop forming the Fakir's Rock rises above the sacred pool Brahmakund (GRIFFITH 1837: 114; 1847: 26). APPROACH 1836: William Griffith and his party had left Sadiya on 15th Oct. 1836 to travel upstream on the river Karam which … debuts from the hills a little to the south of east of Jing-sha Ghât; the chasm is very distinct. An hour upstream from the Jing-sha Ghât, at Laee Mookh (-laee- being a confluence and -mukh- a mouth), their course on 21st October lay up the Laee, in the beginning due east, later north-east. On 22nd October 1836 William Griffith and his party arrived at the Koond chasm and encamped immediately under the Faqueer's Rock (GRIFFITH 1836 in WILCOX 1873 / 1978: 111-114; 1837: 329; GRIFFITH 1847: 21-26). SITUATION 1908: Brahmakund … situated in 27°51' N. and 96°23' E … at the place where the river emerges from the mountains and is surrounded on every side by hills. The journey from Sadiya [note 4] takes four or five days for ordinary travellers, but is not attended by any risk. The return journey down stream can be completed in two days (IMPERIAL GAZETTEEER 1907-1909, 9: 8). FAQUEER's ROCK 1836: The Faqueer's Rock … The strata composing it is partly limestone, lying at an angle of 45°, and in many places at a greater one. … rocks are generally naked. …The Faqueer's Rock is excavated into a hollow of the Deo Dowar. It has no resemblance to a Gothic ruin, which form is, I believe, peculiar to calcareous rocks. … The Faqueer's Rock is three-peaked; two peaks can only be seen from the Deo-panee, the third is the low one to the west, the middle is the highest, and it is perforated: the eastern presents a sugar-loaf appearance (GRIFFITH 1836 in WILCOX 1873 / 1978: 111-114; 1837: 329; GRIFFITH 1847: 26). BRAHMAKUND 1908 Brahmakund.-- A deep pool in the Brahmaputra (IMPERIAL GAZETTEEER 1907-1909, 9: 8).BRAHMAKUND 1844: … Brahma Kund … This place I found to be merely a bay or inlet of the Burhampooter, into which falls a small stream, that issues from the side of the hill immediately above it; this is considered the holy water … At the point where the water first shows itself, the large stone that covers the orifice as well as those on either side of the stream, were formerly gilt by a Khamptee Raja, a portion of which gold is yet visible. The water of this streamlet is warmer than that of the Burhampooter, but is of a disagreeable taste. I was told by my guides, that the rains of 1843 considerably altered and damaged the place (ROWLATT, E A 1846: 486-487). CULTURAL HISTORY - Pool legend & Human use: Parasu Rama, one of the ten incarnations of Vishnu, is said to have surrendered at this pool the axe with which he destroyed the Kshattriyas, and it is in consequence visited by Hindu pilgrims from every part of India (IMPERIAL GAZETTEEER 1907-1909, 9: 8). 1846: … the celebrated Teeruth f the Hindoos, called the Brahma Kund … into which falls a small stream, that issues from the side of the hill immediately above it; this is considered the holy water in which all the devotees who visit the place bathe themselves, and is reported to have the virtue of washing out all the sins that the person may have previously committed. During the time of the Ahoms, it was necessary for the king on his ascension to the throne to be washed in water brought from this place, and until this ceremony was completed he was not considered fit to take upon himself the reins of government … At the point where the water first shows itself, the large stone that covers the orifice as well as those on either side of the stream, were formerly gilt by a Khamptee Raja, a portion of which gold is yet visible (ROWLATT, E A 1846: 486-487).BRAHMAKUND 1844: … Brahma Kund … This place I found to be merely a bay or inlet of the Burhampooter, into which falls a small stream, that issues from the side of the hill immediately above it; this is considered the holy water … At the point where the water first shows itself, the large stone that covers the orifice as well as those on either side of the stream, were formerly gilt by a Khamptee Raja, a portion of which gold is yet visible. The water of this streamlet is warmer than that of the Burhampooter, but is of a disagreeable taste. I was told by my guides, that the rains of 1843 considerably altered and damaged the place (ROWLATT, E A 1846: 486-487). CULTURAL HISTORY - Pool legend & Human use: Parasu Rama, one of the ten incarnations of Vishnu, is said to have surrendered at this pool the axe with which he destroyed the Kshattriyas, and it is in consequence visited by Hindu pilgrims from every part of India (IMPERIAL GAZETTEEER 1907-1909, 9: 8). 1846: … the celebrated Teeruth f the Hindoos, called the Brahma Kund … into which falls a small stream, that issues from the side of the hill immediately above it; this is considered the holy water in which all the devotees who visit the place bathe themselves, and is reported to have the virtue of washing out all the sins that the person may have previously committed. During the time of the Ahoms, it was necessary for the king on his ascension to the throne to be washed in water brought from this place, and until this ceremony was completed he was not considered fit to take upon himself the reins of government … At the point where the water first shows itself, the large stone that covers the orifice as well as those on either side of the stream, were formerly gilt by a Khamptee Raja, a portion of which gold is yet visible (ROWLATT, E A 1846: 486-487).