the tirtha for the immersion of bones and ashes of the dead whose last rites are performed on its bank. the tirtha is also used for swimming purposes. Balaji Mandir The temple of Balaji is a considerably old temple in the town and was constructed by Bhavani Kaloo who rose to be the divan of Sabaji Bhosle and Janoji Bhosle (king of Nagpur kingdom). He constructed the temple in 1779 AD when he was the Subhedar at the thana of Karanja. The shrine is much revered. The images in the temple of Vyankateshvar Balaji are said to have been buried during Aurangzeb's reign to save them from destruction. All trace of them was lost, but in about 1760 a horseman happened casually to turn up a little earth with his stick and perceived a finger of an image. Images of Brahma, Vishnu, Mahadeva, Parvati, Devi, Ganapati, and Naga were taken out. At that time Bhavani Kaloo, who had been patwari of the village Khadi Dhanini in Mangrul tahsil but had become the Divan (or according to some accounts, a general) of the Bhosale Rajas, was at Bashini. He set up the present temple, a fine building standing in a large paved quadrangle, with a well-built veranda for pilgrims to stay, a bhandara for Brahmans to take food and various offices. The work took 12 years but was finished, according to an inscription on a pillar in front, in 1700 Shaka (1776 CE). The Dev Talav or Balaji Talav, a large square tank with stone-built sides, strongly and handsomely finished, and with a Jalakridasthana platform, resting-place for swimmers in the middle of the water body was made at the same time. The chief image is of black stone and sparkles with ornaments; a fine view of the town is to be obtained from the top of the temple gateway, though the staircase is rather abrupt. A dome plated with gold has recently been constructed over the inner chamber of the temple. According to the old Gazetteer 'large jagirs and inaams were given for the support of the temple, the present revenue being Rs. 11,000 from those sources and Rs. 3,000 from kangi offerings. A big fair is held in honor of Balaji, in Ashvina month (September–October). About 12,000 to 15,000 people assemble at the time of the fair. Balaji Talav The Deo talav also known as Balaji talav, a large square