PLACES OF INTEREST

RAM TALAV OR SUNABDEV.

Ram Talav or Sunabdev (Chopda Taluka): Hot springs are in a narrow gorge formed by two low projecting spurs of the Satpuda hills, in the Chopda taluka, four miles west of Unabdev and evidently supplied from the same source. In the woodland two miles from the village of Vardi (21°10' N, 75°20' E; p. 2,840, 25 miles north of Erandol Road railway station, Surat Bhusaval line) close to Sunabdev, are traces of a large weir, bandhdra, of uncommon thickness and strength, which used to dam the hot water and form the Ram Talav. The hot water, which now wells from the ground in one or two places, is very slightly heated, about 90° Fahrenheit, and seems to have no healing power. The bricks of the embankment are very large and strong, about a foot and a half long; and from two to four inches thick. It is said that a Musalman in the pay of the owner of the village, who was in charge of Vardi, used the bricks in building a stepwell. But from the day the well was opened, a curse from the offended deity of the spring fell on the villagers. They were stricken with guineaworm, and fled from the village. After a time the village was again peopled.

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