Art. IX. — An Account of the Sect of Kaprías

Extract

On visiting Mhurr, in the year 1328, I was desirous of learning some particulars of the customs and history of the Kaprías; a sect so called from worshipping Párvatí, one of whose names, taken by her on a particular occasion, is “Kala Purí,” or “Káya Puri.”In Cutch she is known under the name of “Ásá Purá,”and “Mátá.”The temple dedicated to her in this town is of great celebrity uod antiquity, and endowed with many honors by the Raos of Cutch. It boasts of no external beauty, is clumsily stuccoed over, and surrounded by buildings belonging to the Kaprías. These people superintend all affairs connected with the sacred establishment in the immediate neighbourhood, as well as those of several villages granted by the Ráos to the goddess.