PLACES

VADI NARSINHA

Vadi Narsinha (sirol T.), commonly called Narsoba's Vadi, a vadi or suburb of Sirol (160° 40' N; 74° 35' E); a spot richly wooded with babhul and tamarind, lies three miles south of Sirol at the meeting of the Krsna and Pancaganga. It is named after Narsinha Sarasvati, who for twelve years is said to have lived at the sacred meeting of the rivers. Most of the people are Brahman pujaris or ministrants of the deity Narsinha. Vadi Narsinha is a holy place and is visited by large numbers of pilgrims. It has two large temples, one dedicated to Dattatreya ind the other to Narayan Svami. The temple of Dattatreya to the south of the village on the river bank is twenty-four feet long, twelve broad and twelve high. From the temple to the river bed runs a flight of steps 137 feet long and 127 broad. West of the temple of Dattatreya lies the temple of Narayan Svami who is said to have been taught religion direct by Dattatreya. It. is fifty-one feet long, twenty-two broad and fourteen feet high. At the meeting of the Krsna and Pancaganga is another flight of steps of hewn stone and mortar, 143 feet long and sixty-seven feet wide. There is a high school in the town.

Besides the two villages of Aurvad and Gaurvad in Belganv granted rent-free to Narsinha SarasvatI, the temple is in receipt of Rs. 1,340 a year in cash. During the whole month from the dark fifth of Magh or February-March a fair is held attended by about 5,000 people from a distance of 200 miles. Piece-goods, copper and brass vessels and other articles in daily use are offered for sale in temporary booths. The total sales in the month amounted to about a lakh of rupees. On the dark 12th of Asvin or September-October, the day on which Dattatraya is said to have disappeared from the world, another small fair is held attended by about 10,000 people.

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